Texas prosecutors have dropped first degree felony drug charges against a Texas teen who was arrested last year for making and selling black market pot brownies. Jacob Lavoro, 19, had been facing a potential life sentence for his brownie production — which in turn sparked controversy around the nation — until prosecutors dropped the first degree charges.
Lavoro now faces second-degree felony drug possession, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, as well as an additional possession charge carrying a penalty of up to 2 years in state jail. Lavaro’s attorney announced that he and his client’s family are thankful the harshest penalties have been dropped.
Lavaro had been charged with possession of more than a pound and a half of drugs with the intent for distribution — what Texas law had failed to acknowledge, however, was that the weight of the brownies and the weight of the marijuana infused inside the brownies were two entirely different things to be considered.
Lavaro’s unique case sparked the circulation of a petition nationwide, which called for prosecutors to reduce the charges. The petition was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office earlier this month with more than 243,000 signatures.
Sources:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/27/teen-pot-brownies-prison/14683713/
Photo Credit: Julie, Dave & Family