WEST

COURT OVERTURNS ‘GURU OF GANJA’S’ MARIJUANA CULTIVATION CONVICTION

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal appeals court yesterday overturned the marijuana-growing conviction of the self-proclaimed “Guru of Ganja” who has written books on how to grow pot and avoid getting caught.

The court cited jury misconduct in overturning Ed Rosenthal’s conviction, but it otherwise upheld federal powers to charge marijuana growers.

Mr. Rosenthal was convicted more than two years ago for cultivating hundreds of marijuana plants for a city of Oakland medical marijuana program. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer sentenced him to one day in prison, saying Rosenthal reasonably believed he was immune from prosecution because he was acting on behalf of city officials.

– Associated Press

CALIFORNIA WOMAN SPANKED AT WORK SUES FOR $1.2M

FRESNO, Calif. – Lawyers for a woman who was spanked in front of her co-workers as part of what her employer said was a camaraderie-building exercise asked a jury yesterday for at least $1.2 million for the humiliation she claimed to have suffered.

Janet Orlando, 53, quit her job at the home security company Alarm One Incorporated and sued, alleging discrimination, assault, battery, and infliction of emotional distress. Employees were paddled with rival companies’ yard signs as part of a contest that pitted sales teams against each other, according to court documents. The winners poked fun at the losers, throwing pies at them, feeding them baby food, making them wear diapers, and swatting their buttocks.

– Associated Press

SOUTH

FLORIDA LAWMAKERS AGREE TO CLOSE BOOT CAMPS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers agreed yesterday to shut down the state’s juvenile boot camp system and pour more money into a less militaristic program for dealing with juvenile offenders.

The sheriff-run boot camps have been under scrutiny since the January death of a 14-year-old boy who had been kicked and beaten by guards at a Panama City camp. The changes, agreed to by House and Senate negotiators, are part of a state budget agreement that still requires both chambers’ approval. Under the agreement, the boot camps would be replaced with a new, less militaristic program called Sheriff’s Training and Respect. It would be run by sheriffs and closely monitored by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

– Associated Press