Articles - Law Offices of Eric D. Shevin

CANNABIS E-RETAILER CLAIMS MORAL RIGHTEOUSNESS
February 14, 2000

A Californian man charged with selling marijuana online was acting on "moral righteousness", his lawyer claimed last week.

Michael Aronov, who ran a Web site supplying marijuana for medical purposes, was indicted on Friday for illegally distributing the drug in Louisiana, the Nando Times reported.

Aronov stands charged on seven counts of shipping marijuana and one count of advertising a controlled substance for sale on the Net. He was caught after sending a package of wacky backy to two undercover agents, and now faces up to up to 39 years imprisonment.

But Aronov's lawyer, Eric Shevin, said his client was acting as a Good Samaritan because the two agents had claimed to have health problems.

"My sense is that Michael responded to a sense of moral righteousness rather than legal judgement," said Shevin.

"He at no time possessed any criminal intent. His desire has and is to help people who are in need."

"All the evidence will show he was only involved in trying to assist people who had what appeared to be legitimate medical need for serious illnesses."

Distribution of hash for medicinal purposes in illegal in Louisiana, but legal in California when accompanied by the consent of a doctor.

Shevin's line of argument did not appear to phase US Attorney Eddie Jordan, who proclaimed: "This is another example of our expanding effort to pursue individuals who use computers to conduct illegal activities".

Source: The Register >>Business>>
By Linda Harrison

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