Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) October 16, 2013
Feds waived a white flag in a landmark Marijuana case by Matthew Pappas, Attorney on October 8. Federal District Court Judge Andrew Guilford dismissed an action filed by the federal government to take the Anaheim commercial property owned by Tony and Morgan Jalali through forfeiture based on a leasing a rental unit to a state compliant medical cannabis collective.
After garnering national attention, Case #8:12-cv-01345-AG-MLG (Matthew Pappas and the Institute of Justice) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California Southern Division was dismissed by the judge once the government agreed to its dismissal. Represented by California attorney Matthew Pappas and the Virginia-based Institute for Justice, the Jalali’s have been fighting the government's forfeiture case for just over a year.
"This is an important step in the fight for civil rights by seriously ill Californians who have been prescribed medical marijuana by their doctors," said Pappas. "Patients use marijuana to alleviate symptoms resulting from cancer, AIDS, and insomnia, and often do so instead of using more dangerous pharmaceuticals. This decision recognizes these patients."
The government also agreed to dismiss four other forfeiture cases in the same court (cases 1) 8:13-cv-00615-JLS-AN; 2) 8:13-cv-00616-DOC-AN; 3) 8:12-cv-01345-AG-MLG; 4) 2:12-cv-08250-DDP-MRW; all by Matthew Pappas, Attorney) it had filed against building owners leasing to state compliant dispensaries. In all, Pappas’ office was involved in all five of the forfeiture cases being dismissed with prejudice, which means the government can never re-file the cases.
"Deciding to act consistent with its own National Cancer Institute report that declares cannabis to be an effective treatment for cancer patients shows the courage of the federal government to change a long-standing, oppressive policy."
Over the past few years, Mr. Pappas has emerged as one of California’s top patient rights advocates, and has once again demonstrated the significance of defeating the Federal Government in a groundbreaking trial. "I find it appropriate that the government has decided to dismiss the southern California asset forfeiture cases in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month."
Matthew Pappas is a civil rights lawyer specializing in the advocacy of patient rights whose consistency and dedication in this area have paved the way for how cases will be handled in the future. Mr. Pappas is a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences, and often appears in the media as an advocate for the rights of medical marijuana patients.
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