Interesting Associated Press story:  US Judge Urges Dropping Marijuana Charges Against "Ganja Guru":

A federal judge told prosecutors to consider dropping marijuana-growing charges against self-proclaimed marijuana guru Ed Rosenthal. U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer granted the Department of Justice’s motion for a delay in Rosenthal’s retrial, which was scheduled to begin Monday. Earlier in the week, the judge dismissed money laundering and tax charges against Rosenthal.

Breyer said Friday he wants the government to assess whether it should go forward in light of his ruling. Rosenthal, 62, was convicted on three marijuana-growing felonies in 2003. Breyer sentenced him to just one day in prison, which Rosenthal served, saying the "Guru of Ganja" reasonably believed he was growing the plants on behalf of Oakland officials for a city medical marijuana program.

Rosenthal, 62, was convicted on three marijuana-growing felonies in 2003. Breyer sentenced him to just one day in prison, which Rosenthal served, saying the "Guru of Ganja" reasonably believed he was growing the plants on behalf of Oakland officials for a city medical marijuana program. A federal appeals court overturned his conviction last year because of misconduct by a juror who consulted an attorney on how to decide the case. Federal prosecutors indicted Rosenthal again in October over the same marijuana operation, adding four counts of hiding money and five counts of filing false tax returns. The judge said the additional charges were motivated by Rosenthal’s appeal and complaints that his first trial was unfair. Rosenthal, a longtime pro-marijuana activist, has written books on how to grow marijuana and how to avoid getting caught.