Robert Celt
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An Atkinson couple accused of cultivating and possessing more than seven pounds of marijuana requested a continuance in their court case Friday, after being issued a medical marijuana card earlier in the week.
Robert Zdrada, 65, and wife Valerie, 60, were arrested in October after police searched their home. Police said they found seven and a half pounds of marijuana, plant stems, seeds and special lighting units used to grow the plants indoors. The Zdradas were released and given a summons to return to court in December.
They have been charged with cultivating, possessing and intending to distribute the marijuana. They have pleaded not guilty, and their attorney has argued the drug was intended not for sale, but as a means of relief for Robert Zdrada, who has cancer.
In Plaistow District Court on Friday, attorney Alan Cronheim requested a continuance of the Zdradas' probable cause hearing until Feb. 22, telling Judge Sharon DeVries that Robert Zdrada had obtained a state-issued medical marijuana card.
"The case is being continued so that the state can review the case, now aware that the state of New Hampshire has issued a medical marijuana card to Bob, which allows him to possess and use marijuana to treat his medical condition," Cronheim told The Eagle-Tribune.
On Oct. 30, just 11 days after the Zdradas were arrested, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced it would begin accepting applications for medical marijuana cards on Nov. 2 as part of a "preregistration" period. The law allowing medical marijuana use in the state passed in 2013, but no dispensaries have opened yet. Some are scheduled to open in the spring.
On Dec. 23, the health department announced it would begin to issue the Registry Identification Cards to qualifying patients and designated caregivers on Dec. 28. Cronheim said Zdrada received his card this week.
When the Zdradas were arraigned in December, the prosecution said the state is pursuing the distribution charges due to the amount of marijuana found. When dispensaries open in New Hampshire, each patient and caregiver together may posses only two ounces at any given time. Even the distribution centers, once opened, will be allowed only a five-pound back stock and an additional six ounces per patient.
At their arraignment, the Zdradas were released on personal recognizance bail, with the condition that they continue living in their Crown Hill Road home and that Robert Zdrada follow his doctors' treatment recommendations.
"I'm just saying if they recommended you use medical marijuana that you follow that as part of your bail order, so that protects you in that regard," the judge told Robert Zdrada.
The Zdradas' next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 22 at 10 a.m.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: MA Couple Accused Of Growing Pot Get Medical Card
Author: Kiera Blessing
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Eagle Tribune
Robert Zdrada, 65, and wife Valerie, 60, were arrested in October after police searched their home. Police said they found seven and a half pounds of marijuana, plant stems, seeds and special lighting units used to grow the plants indoors. The Zdradas were released and given a summons to return to court in December.
They have been charged with cultivating, possessing and intending to distribute the marijuana. They have pleaded not guilty, and their attorney has argued the drug was intended not for sale, but as a means of relief for Robert Zdrada, who has cancer.
In Plaistow District Court on Friday, attorney Alan Cronheim requested a continuance of the Zdradas' probable cause hearing until Feb. 22, telling Judge Sharon DeVries that Robert Zdrada had obtained a state-issued medical marijuana card.
"The case is being continued so that the state can review the case, now aware that the state of New Hampshire has issued a medical marijuana card to Bob, which allows him to possess and use marijuana to treat his medical condition," Cronheim told The Eagle-Tribune.
On Oct. 30, just 11 days after the Zdradas were arrested, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced it would begin accepting applications for medical marijuana cards on Nov. 2 as part of a "preregistration" period. The law allowing medical marijuana use in the state passed in 2013, but no dispensaries have opened yet. Some are scheduled to open in the spring.
On Dec. 23, the health department announced it would begin to issue the Registry Identification Cards to qualifying patients and designated caregivers on Dec. 28. Cronheim said Zdrada received his card this week.
When the Zdradas were arraigned in December, the prosecution said the state is pursuing the distribution charges due to the amount of marijuana found. When dispensaries open in New Hampshire, each patient and caregiver together may posses only two ounces at any given time. Even the distribution centers, once opened, will be allowed only a five-pound back stock and an additional six ounces per patient.
At their arraignment, the Zdradas were released on personal recognizance bail, with the condition that they continue living in their Crown Hill Road home and that Robert Zdrada follow his doctors' treatment recommendations.
"I'm just saying if they recommended you use medical marijuana that you follow that as part of your bail order, so that protects you in that regard," the judge told Robert Zdrada.
The Zdradas' next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 22 at 10 a.m.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: MA Couple Accused Of Growing Pot Get Medical Card
Author: Kiera Blessing
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Eagle Tribune