"Guru of Ganja" (Ed Rosenthal) convicted of marijuana cultivation

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 01/31/03 | DAVID KRAVETS

[MikalM]

A federal jury Friday found Ed Rosenthal, the author of how-to-grow books on marijuana and how to avoid the law, guilty of marijuana cultivation and conspiracy charges.

Deliberating for a day, the 12-member jury concluded that Rosenthal, the self described "Guru of Ganja," was growing more than 1,000 plants, conspiring to cultivate marijuana and maintaining a warehouse for a growing operation. He faces a maximum life term when sentenced June 4.

[philman_36]

Must have taken you hours to come up with that brilliant riposte.
No, just a short time as is evidenced. It sure took you quite a while for you to come up with yours. My, would you just look at the time...

[Stew Padasso]

"Take it easy. Drug pushers going to prison gets them upset."

Not always...sometimes it brings a welcome smile.

***

Three Chicago Police Officers Charged With Drug Conspiracy
Tuesday, January 28, 2003, 6:53 a.m.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Three Chicago police officers have been indicted on charges they conspired to possess and distribute cocaine in a case that grew out of an investigation of another police officer convicted of drug trafficking, officials said Monday.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said the indictment stems from the investigation of former Chicago police officer Joseph Miedzianowski who was sentenced in federal court here last Friday to life in prison for running a Miami-to-Chicago cocaine ring.

One of the officers in the new indictment, James Benson, 34, a 12-year veteran, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine between March 1998 and July 1999, according to Fitzgerald.

Benson was released on his own recognizance by U.S. District Judge John Darrah, who postponed sentencing.

Also indicted on drug charges were Jon Woodall, 40, a detective since 1995, and Peter Matich, 40, an officer since 1994. The indictment was handed down Jan. 23 and unsealed Monday. All three officers were placed on restricted duty in July 1999.

The indictment accuses the three officers of removing about seven kilograms of cocaine and a firearm that were secreted in an auto, a Buick, impounded in a police lot and agreeing to keep for themselves 5 kilograms of the cocaine and the firearm.

Fitzgerald said the officers created false police reports claiming the remaining two kilograms of cocaine taken were from another auto, a Camaro, causing a man to be wrongfully charged with possession. The charges were later dropped.

According to Benson's plea agreement, Woodall, Benson and Matich were directed to the cocaine by the driver of the Camaro. The officers had received a tip the man was involved in drug trafficking.

After he was arrested by police on suspicion of possessing cocaine, the driver of the Camaro allegedly told the three officers that there was a car in a police impound lot which contained illegal drugs in a hidden compartment which had not been discovered by the authorities who had seized the vehicle.

According to Benson's plea agreement, the three officers went to the police pound on March 4, 1998, took seven kilograms of cocaine from the impounded car and kept five for themselves. The driver of Camaro was allowed to go free.

The indictment also alleges that three weeks after the Buick was impounded, its driver at the time was murdered March 23, 1998.

Woodall allegedly obstructed the homicide investigation by causing a witness to withhold material information.

The indictment claims Woodall, Matich and Benson sold the cocaine they took from the impounded car, and they agreed each of them would receive $12,000.

The visit to the auto pound by the indicted police officers was observed by three other police officers who have not been indicted, prosecutors said, adding that the federal investigation continues. (Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Roscoe]

Cop hatred trumps "principle."

[philman_36]

Looks like it might be you he has his eyes on. Sounds like he's one of those "punish me" types you sick thing.
I don't have my eyes on anyone and I'm certainly not a "one of those "punish me" types". Are you as reprobate of mind as Lord Voldemort? It sure seems that way.
What I do see in Lord Voldemort is his condoning of anal rape of prisoners in prison.
Do you condone or support anal rape of prisoners in prison CWOJackson?
How about you Lord Voldemort? Do you condone or support anal rape of prisoners in prison? You have still never directly answered the question.
Perhaps I'll see two of you now.

[Stew Padasso]

So those are the kind of cops you 'love'?

[Aarchaeus]

calling the court and jury "statists" all for following the law.

Maybe you need to re-read the article. It appears they were disregarding the law. T

[CWOJackson]

Condone rape in prison? What you do in your private time is your own business.

[philman_36]

The DEA averages about two arrests for marijuana possession per state per week.
That isn't what your link above says. It says...more than 99 out of every 100 marijuana arrests are made under state law... meaning all 100 out of 100. Each arrest does count as one don't they?
The average pot user is about as likely to hit a state lottery as to be arrested by the DEA.
Cite please. Your numbers have suddenly changed.

[DAnconia55]

So quit bitching.

Nope. Not until immoral laws end.

[Roscoe]

Nobody has defended them. Your point failed. Again.

[Roscoe]

more than 99 out of every 100

There are more than 100 arrests. Try a remedial math course.

[DAnconia55]

At least Danconia55 had the spine to admit the truth, and apparently took my advice and quit bitching too

No, I just can't remain glued to arguments in cyberspace. I have a real life.

[DAnconia55]

"According to the United States Sentencing Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, more than 99 out of every 100 marijuana arrests are made under state law, rather than under federal law."

Great statistic. Thanks. That means State law is 99% effective, and thus there's no reason for Federal law.

[Aarchaeus]

That's true. We haven't lost an argument yet.

That's just because you don't have the sense to understand the difference between your drivel and anyone else's reasonable statements. Since you are unable to participate in a rational argument, you will "never lose" one.

[Roscoe]

That means State law is 99% effective, and thus there's no reason for Federal law.

Wrong. There's traffic in illicit drugs across state lines.

[philman_36]

What you do in your private time is your own business.
I'm not in prison and prison isn't private.
And you so nicely avoided answering.
Since you will not answer directly I'll go with the evidence in hand and conclude that you too condone anal rape of prisoners in prison. You leave me little choice.
Is the problem so bad that a law needs to be passed?
Prisoner Rape Isn't Funny
Laugh away you reprobates!

[DAnconia55]

Wrong. There's traffic in illicit drugs across state lines.

Yes, we're all aware that LIKE HILLARY you believe in a flexible Constitution - one that allows for interpretation of the Commerce clause to give you the power to do anything your little heart desires.

That merely makes you wrong, and out of place on a forum dedicated to restoration of Constitutional principles.