Policy

UPDATE: LYNCH SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR AND A DAY; FREE PENDING APPEAL Medical Marijuana's Whipping Boy, Charlie Lynch, To Be Sentenced June 11

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UPDATE ON JUNE 11: Reason.tv's Ted Balaker, on the scene at the Lynch sentencing, reports that Charlie Lynch has been sentenced to three one-year sentences that will run concurrently, plus one day in jaul.

Lynch is free pending appeal and his lawyers, says Balaker, seem extremely happy and relieved with the sentence and are convinced they will knock it down much lower and that Lynch will not be in prison anytime soon.

Look for video of the post-sentencing press conference at Reason.com and Reason.tv soon.

Charlie Lynch is the medical marijuana dispensary owner whose business, fully legal under California state law, was raided by federal agents in 2007.

At his federal trial last year, Lynch was not allowed to mention the legal status of medical marijuana under California state law while conducting his defense. The predictable-and outrageous-verdict? Lynch was found guilty of distributing pot and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

After several delays, Lynch's sentencing is scheduled for 10A.M. Pacific Time on Thursday, June 11.

Will justice be served? Or will an innocent man pay for the crimes of a government that is out of control? President Barack Obama has said he will stop federal raids against dispensaries in states that have made medical marijuana legal. Will that pledge make a difference in Lynch's sentencing?

Reason.tv has been covering the Lynch saga since it began. For more videos and information on the case, go here now.

This video was edited by Alexander Manning; additional footage provided by Rick Ray.

Approximately 3.20 minutes. Scroll down for audio, iPod, and HD versions.

The song "Whipping Boy" was written and performed by Chris Darrow. Courtesy of Everloving Music.

Go here for Reason's extensive and continuing coverage of Lynch's case.

And come back here on June 11 for an immediate report on the Lynch sentencing.