A Seattle woman was recently sentenced to serve 42 months in jail after admitting to selling marijuana to the general public through a dispensary she operated with her 61-year-old partner. The accused, along with her partner, admitted to selling marijuana for a profit to people who did not possess a valid medical authorization and card. In addition to selling to local buyers, she also admitted to selling 25 pounds of marijuana for distribution in other parts of the country as well.

Along with the drug charges stemming from the alleged distribution, the investigation revealed connections to other drug dealers. One of the dealers she was linked with was reportedly distributing substantial amounts of ecstasy.

This drug charges are very serious, as shown by the 42-month sentence. The courts handed down a harsh sentence for several reasons: Prosecutors argued that she was selling the drugs strictly for profit without any concern for the letter or spirit of the law. They believed that she was using her medical marijuana dispensary as nothing more than a cover for the distribution and sale of more serious drugs. The woman is a citizen of Singapore and may face deportation after serving her sentence.

As this case shows, penalties for drug convictions may be very harsh, which underscores the need for an aggressive and thorough defense. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney may be able to evaluate the case in order to find weaknesses in the prosecution's case or even negotiate with the prosecution for a reduced sentence or lessened penalties, particularly if the accused person is a first-time offender.

Source: Kent Reporter, "Co-owner of Seattle medical marijuana dispensary sentenced to prison for drug dealing," Steve Hunter, April 12, 2013