Former medical marijuana dispensary manager found guilty after third trial

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The former manager of a now-defunct medical marijuana
dispensary was convicted Monday of three charges, including sale of marijuana
and possession of the drug for sale, in his third trial.

Jovan Jackson, 35, faces up to 16 months in prison when he is sentenced
Dec. 13.

His attorney, Lance Rogers, said the case will be immediately appealed.

Jackson was tried and acquitted in 2009 for possession and sales of
marijuana.

He went on trial in 2010 on charges stemming from another raid at the
dispensary and was convicted.

Attorneys for Jackson appealed, saying the defendant was denied a defense.

An appeals court in 2011 agreed, handing down a landmark decision that
gives dispensary operators the right to a defense in state court.

Outside court today, Jackson told reporters he thought the medical
marijuana defense would help clear his name.

“Court is based off presumptions, in my opinion,” Jackson said. “I
just think a lot of the jury's inclination to vote guilty was based on the
presumptions that were given to them by the (deputy) district attorney.”

Jackson now works as a barber in Lemon Grove.

“This isn't the first time I've heard guilty,” Jackson said. “I'm not
gonna give up just because these particular jurors found me guilty. I think
that society will decide if I'm guilty or not based off of how they feel about
medical marijuana.”