cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Activist Freed Medical Marijuana Activist Freed Posted by CN Staff on August 10, 2004 at 09:27:51 PT By Denny Walsh -- Bee Staff Writer Source: Sacramento Bee Bryan James Epis is released from jail as the Supreme Court decides the legality of state-sanctioned cooperatives that grow medicinal pot. At 3:58 p.m. Monday, Bryan James Epis, whose trial and conviction in Sacramento made him a symbol of the federal government's war on medical marijuana, walked out of prison.Sentenced to 10 years, he was behind bars for two years and one month before a federal appellate panel Monday ordered him freed until the U.S. Supreme Court decides the fate of state-sanctioned medical marijuana cooperatives that operate wholly within California. In a brief telephone interview two hours after his release, the 37-year-old Epis said he was grateful to be out, and was looking forward to a reunion with his 11-year-old daughter, Ashley. "I'm in Los Angeles and getting ready to have a beer," he said. "How cool is that?"Word of his release spread rapidly, and his San Francisco appeals attorney, Brenda Grantland, was busy late Monday fielding calls from reporters and members of the medical marijuana community."It looks real good for Bryan," she said in a telephone interview. "I'm prepared to predict that he won't do another day in prison."While Epis' appeal was pending before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the panel ruled in another case that federal authorities have no power to go after noncommercial medical marijuana operations confined to a state. The Epis appeal raises the same issue.The Supreme Court has scheduled a review of the other case during its next term, which begins in October.Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/epis.htmSource: Sacramento Bee (CA)Author: Denny Walsh -- Bee Staff WriterPublished: Tuesday, August 10, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Sacramento BeeContact: opinion sacbee.comWebsite: http://www.sacbee.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Bryan Epis Protest Pictureshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/protestpics.htmChico Man To Be Released In Medical Pot Casehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19307.shtmlFederal Court Orders Bail for Chico Man http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19305.shtmlFirst Federal Medical Marijuana Conviction http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13398.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by Dr Ganj on August 13, 2004 at 22:15:19 PT Free at last! I was in Sacramento at the big protest 2 years ago when they took him to jail, and we all felt terrible for him and his family. If memory seves me, they hammered him with 10 years because he would not accept a plea deal-something I've been ranting everyone should also do-NOT bargain with evil. He should be very proud to have fought this aweful beast, and has paved the way for others to do the same. Also, thanks for Rob & Angel Raich to make this possible. They're the ones who have really battled hard and long! Let's hope the Supreme Court will recognize states' rights when they rule next year on Raich vs. Ashcroft. It's going to be close, but it seems good will prevail this time. Prison should be a place for criminals, not for people who grow plants in their basements. It's really that simple. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 11, 2004 at 09:18:02 PT Correction from the SacBee: Setting It Straight Published: Wednesday, August 11, 2004A story on page B1 Tuesday about a medical marijuana activist freed from prison incorrectly said the same panel of judges in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was handling two separate cases. The cases were heard by different panels. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by BGreen on August 10, 2004 at 18:32:32 PT Finally, A Reason To Rejoice! Happy Freedom Day, Bryan!Drop by for a visit whenever you get settled down and have a couple minutes of free time. The entire CannabisNews.com crowd would be thrilled.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by mayan on August 10, 2004 at 17:51:13 PT Glad You're Out! But I am very pissed that the fascists stole over two years of your life from you! There will be hell to pay for these scumbags!The way out...9/11 Miracles And Wonders: http://www.nypress.com/17/30/news&columns/AlanCabal.cfm9/11 Prior Knowledge/Government Involvement Archive: http://www.propagandamatrix.com/archiveprior_knowledge.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on August 10, 2004 at 12:25:15 PT Freedom Welcome Home Bryan! I love the word Freedom. It is a driving power in my life and I hope and pray that Bryan and his family will be as free as anyone would ever want! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Dankhank on August 10, 2004 at 12:22:38 PT Welcome Home ... Welcome Home, Bryan your family missed you and those you succored did as well.A New Day has dawned in the fight for the right to medicate.Enjoy ... Medicate [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Max Flowers on August 10, 2004 at 11:43:54 PT Bryan Welcome back to the outside where you belong!!! It must be great to be back with your family.Try not to be consumed by hate for the scumbags who caged you for no good reason. Use your notoriety creatively and peacefully to accelerate the demise of the inhumnan cannabis prohibition.We're all ecstatic that you're free. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment