Downtown Rally Held For MMJ Patient
Bob Crouse, of Colorado Springs, faces a Feb. 27 trial on charges of owning too many medical marijuana plants and intent to distribute.
On Friday, Crouse’s supporters gathered outside the El Paso County Courthouse for the second time in several months. The group is raising money for Crouse’s legal costs and living expenses. Crouse is unable to work because he has leukemia.
Crouse, 63, disputes the charges, saying he was legally authorized to grow medical marijuana as an effective treatment for his disease.
“I’ve tried to understand what it is that I’m doing wrong, and I don’t,” he said. “The only way I stop is when I’m dead.”
However, court records show that Crouse had an expired medical marijuana card and did not have a license or application to operate a dispensary when authorities raided his home last May.
Crouse said he believes authorities are making an example of him to discourage the medical marijuana industry.
The district attorney’s office declined to comment on Friday, citing the ongoing nature of the case. If convicted on both felony charges, Crouse could serve up to 12 years in prison.
