Help ASA stop the 3rd prosecution of Jovan Jackson
San Diego District Attorney and anti-medical cannabis crusader Bonnie Dumanis wants to put a patient-provider on trial for the third time. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) needs your help to stop this unnecessary prosecution and to keep fighting for patients’ rights statewide.
San Diego medical patient-provider and navy veteran Jovan Jackson was acquitted of all medical cannabis charges in his first trial in 2009, but District Attorney Dumanis opted to try him again later that year. His conviction in the second trial was overturned by a successful appeal filed by ASA. That appeal, People v. Jackson, now guarantees medical cannabis providers statewide a medical defense in court, something denied to Mr. Jackson in his second trial.
Our victory in People v. Jackson should have been the end of the story, but District Attorney Dumanis has decided to prosecute Mr. Jackson for a third time. This latest trial is unnecessary and harmful. ASA is asking medical cannabis supporters statewide to sign a petition asking District Attorney Dumanis and Superior Court Judge Louis R. Hanoian to stop the trial in the interest of justice and leave Jovan Jackson alone.
If you live near San Diego, you can attend Mr. Jackson’s trial to show your support in person. You can encourage Mr. Jackson and make a good impression on the judge and jury just by sitting quietly in the courtroom. The trial starts at 8:30 AM on Monday, October 21, in Department 54 at the San Diego Courthouse located at 220 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. Contact Terrie Best at ilegalsmile@hotmail.com for more information on court support.
Thank you for helping Jovan Jackson and supporting ASA!
Stop the Unnecessary Third Prosecution of Jovan Jackson
We, the Undersigned, call on the Honorable Judge Louis R. Hanoian and San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis to stop the third attempt to prosecute medical cannabis provider Jovan Jackson. Mr. Jackson operated a legal medical cannabis patients’ association in San Diego and was acquitted on medical cannabis charges at his first trial. His conviction on similar charges at a second trial was overturned by the State Appellate Court in People v. Jackson. That landmark case established the legal defense for operators of medical cannabis patients’ associations in California.
There is no need to prosecute Mr. Jackson a third time; and doing so is harmful and a waste of the county’s resources. Furthermore, the continued harassment of Mr. Jackson disregards his due process and the fundamental integrity of the courts. Judge Hanoian and Ms. Dumanis have the discretion to end this third misguided prosecution in the interest of justice. We call on each to use their good judgment, common sense, and compassion in dropping this case for good.
