SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane resident Jerry Laberdee was in Federal court Wednesday to face charges of selling and using marijuana for charges filed before the passing of Initiative 502.
Laberdee is a medical marijuana patient and dispensary owner. His store, "Medical Herb Providers," was raided in 2011 when federal agents seized more than 30 pot plants, thousands in cash, and several ounces of ready-to-smoke weed.
Jerry Labredee and his business partner Dennis Whited were charged with distribution and manufacture. Laberdee and Whited were facing up to 20-years in prison.
Defense attorneys argued both men thought they were operating legally, and were not doing it for profit, only medical reasons. And they were using it for medical reasons for themselves.
Court room defense attorneys brokered a deal with prosecutors to only send Labredee away for six months and Whited for five month.
Judge Van Sickle acknowledged I-502 in the sentencing, saying Federal law in essence trumps state law, that although its legal in Washington, that has no baring on Federal law.
Laberdee will have to self report for his jail sentence, Dennis Whited is already serving time. Both men will be released in to resident treatment for at least 6 months after their sentence.
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