Thomas Ballanco

"... officials have repeatedly told state officials that medical marijuana users risk federal prosecution. Federal defendants who have tried to use the state's law as a defense have failed, said Thomas J. Ballanco, the defense attorney involved in the two biggest cases using the defense. He lost both. In one of them, Smith was convicted of growing marijuana on federal land in Trinity ..."

"... under and federal officials have repeatedly told stoto offi emis that users risk federal prosecution. Federal defendants who havo tried to use thc state's ns a defense have failed, Thomas J. Ballanco, tho defense attorney involved in tmo two biggest eases using tho defense. Hc lost both. In one of B E. Smith was convicted of growing marijuana on federal land in ..."

"... attorney, said Thursday in an interview. “Proposition 215 is not a defense to federal statues. The only question for the jury was whether he was cultivating it." Smith's attorney, Thomas J. Ballanco, called his attempts to defend Smith under those conditions “surreal." Ballanco and Harrelson spoke during a telephone conference call on the case Thursday. In that effort, Harrelson who met Smith at environmental protests over the Headwaters Forest in 1997 testified on ..."