Alaska Marijuana News

Man tells Anchorage judge canna-business owners were his 'caretakers'

A man who says he suffers from severe Tourette's syndrome told an Anchorage District Court Judge on Friday that three people charged with delivering and possessing marijuana were his caretakers.

All three canna-business owners showed up at the Nesbett Courthouse, but two of the hearings were vacated. Alaska Cannabis Club owner Charlo Greene's case inched forward; attorneys discussed bail conditions and the possibility of moving her charges to a higher court.

"Those three parties being called criminals, I have a high problem with that," said Jon Schumacher Jr., saying his medication brings normalcy to his life. Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary tics and vocal outbursts, sometimes obscenities.

Greene, Rocky Burns and Michael Crites were charged in September with fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, a felony, and in the fifth-degree, a misdemeanor. Crites listened in on the hearing, while Burns was present outside the courtroom.

The Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals did not immediately return a request for clarification on what is happening with the cases of Crites and Burns.

In past months, each business has been the target of police raids. State regulators have said they were operating illegally and, along with two marijuana social clubs, were sent "cease and desist" letters in July. The businesses insisted they were operating legally.

Greene's attorney Keri Brady said her client's case was moving through the court process and did not enter a plea. She asked the court to allow Greene to attend future hearings over the phone, as Greene has scheduled several "speaking engagements" this month.

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District Court Judge Alex Swiderski asked the state for its recommendation on bail, and assistant district attorney Christina Sherman asked the court to bar Greene from using controlled substances, including marijuana.

Brady said the state had previously represented it would request Green not participate in any illegal marijuana business practices. The judge opted to put bail conditions on hold.

Sitting behind the defense table, Schumacher fidgeted and struggled to contain outbursts as the attorneys discussed Greene's case. He asked to speak as a victim in the three marijuana cases; Swiderski initially offered him 30 seconds to give comment.

Standing in front of the podium, Schumacher stuttered as he asked the judge for at least a minute. He then asked the judge if he could take his medicine before speaking, which the judge permitted.

Schumacher reached inside his coat and pulled a small vial containing a marijuana tincture from a pocket, opened it and squeezed some of the liquid from a dropper into his mouth. He stood silently for a moment then began speaking again, appearing much more calm before the judge.

Schumacher told the judge he was in court representing the medical marijuana community and himself as a medical marijuana cardholder. Greene, Crites and Burns have been stigmatized as criminals, he said.

"I am a victim of the (state's Marijuana Control Board)," Schumacher said.

"I perceive (the three defendants) as caretakers that stood up and took a stand when no one else would to serve the medical community as well as the veterans" to improve access to medicine, he said. "I would like you to take that into consideration."

Outside the courtroom, Schumacher said the control board has hindered his ability to obtain medicine that helps stops his uncontrollable tics. The business owners facing charges were the first people he could rely on for accurate information about the marijuana he ingests, he said.

He described the liquid in the vial as a mixture of cannabis and Bacardi 151. The solution can be made with any alcohol, he said.

Since his caretakers were charged, Schumacher said, getting his medicine has been difficult. He's had urges to harm himself, he said.

"I hope to the creator what I did today has an impact," he said.

Greene shook her head when asked for comment after the hearing.

"I've advised her not to speak to the media because it's not safe when there's criminal charges pending," said Brady.

Burns declined to comment outside the courtroom. Vikram Chaobal, attorney for Discreet Deliveries driver Birchie Walter, who was arrested in January, said Friday that Walter had entered into a deferred sentencing agreement with the Municipality of Anchorage. The conditions are: If Walter does not break any laws for a year, the municipality will dismiss the case.

Crites also declined to talk about his case other than to ask, "Why isn't there a doctor on the Medical Marijuana Control Board?" referring to Schumacher's comments.

Alaska Dispatch News reporter Laurel Andrews contributed to this story.

Jerzy Shedlock

Jerzy Shedlock is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2017.

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