Federal judge says no prison time for selling medicinal pot
Dec 20, 2012, 8:18 AM | Updated: 9:31 am
Undercover agents in 2011 targeted Brionne Corbray's marijuana dispensaries in West Seattle, White Center and North Seattle. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
A man who operated three medical marijuana shops in the Seattle area is the first in Western Washington to face sentencing on federal drug charges.
Undercover agents in 2011 targeted Brionne Corbray’s marijuana dispensaries in West Seattle, White Center and North Seattle. Prosecutors say a smoking lounge at the White Center store was a flagrant violation of both state and federal law. Agents also found a gun at that location.
The Seattle Times reports Corbray, 48, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges.
The U.S. Attorney sought a one year prison term but the defense cited mixed messages about drug laws from local, state and federal authorities. Washington voters recently passed an initiative making it legal to possess a small amount of marijuana for personal use.
The judge ordered probation for Corbray and a $25,000 fine.
Two other defendants have pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in connection with the operation of medicinal marijuana dispensaries and are awaiting sentencing. The Assistant U.S. Attorney handling the Corbray case says it’s the first such prosecution but not the last.
