Run, Louis, run
He's not exactly a model citizen -- Louis Wayne Fowler served seven years in prison for ripping off $5.1 million from the California State Water Resources Control Board -- but the Sacramento man's latest brush with the law certainly puts him in the role of the victim. Having turned his life around and opened a medical marijuana dispensary in the wake of California's legalization of such ventures, Fowler was targeted by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration for violating Uncle Sam's delicate sensibilities about marijuana and state-level efforts to liberalize drug laws. He was arrested on charges of cultivating at least 1,000 marijuana plants and carrying a gun to protect himself and his business. On the cultivation charge alone, he faces a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison -- three years longer than he served on the earlier embezzlement rap.
No wonder he's gone on the lam.
In comments to his mother, Fowler apparently hinted at intentions to commit suicide. I sincerely hope that's a diversionary tactic and that he plans, instead, to emulate his past actions. After robbing the Water Resources Control Board, he disappeared for three years, living under a false name in Arizona. Now, with even more to fear and much more justification, he would be well-advised to head for friendlier shores and make a new life for himself.
The federal jihad against disfavored intoxicants knows no rational limits. In fact, federal narcs, prosecutors and judges seem to be infuriated by efforts to ease or eliminate penalties for non-violent exchange and use of drugs. Judges have been known to hand out more time in prison than prosecutors request to people who do nothing more than grow plants under voter-driven medical marijuana provisions. Simply providing marijuana to patients in accordance with California's Proposition 215 landed one woman with a 41-month sentence.
With a prior record and a large-scale operation, Fowler has no reason to expect mercy from the court.
Yes, running is sometimes the best choice. I hope that's what Fowler is doing, and I hope he gets away clean.
No wonder he's gone on the lam.
In comments to his mother, Fowler apparently hinted at intentions to commit suicide. I sincerely hope that's a diversionary tactic and that he plans, instead, to emulate his past actions. After robbing the Water Resources Control Board, he disappeared for three years, living under a false name in Arizona. Now, with even more to fear and much more justification, he would be well-advised to head for friendlier shores and make a new life for himself.
The federal jihad against disfavored intoxicants knows no rational limits. In fact, federal narcs, prosecutors and judges seem to be infuriated by efforts to ease or eliminate penalties for non-violent exchange and use of drugs. Judges have been known to hand out more time in prison than prosecutors request to people who do nothing more than grow plants under voter-driven medical marijuana provisions. Simply providing marijuana to patients in accordance with California's Proposition 215 landed one woman with a 41-month sentence.
With a prior record and a large-scale operation, Fowler has no reason to expect mercy from the court.
Yes, running is sometimes the best choice. I hope that's what Fowler is doing, and I hope he gets away clean.
Labels: drugs and prohibition
posted by J.D. Tuccille at
12:26 PM
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