First Degree Felony Against Jacob Lavoro, Dropped

Last month, we reported on a story as
daunting and alarming as the recent halting headline relating to Jaycee
Chan. Yet another disappointingly disproportionate punishment involving
cannabis, however, this time, the controversy is on American soil. 

The story revolves around Jacob Lavoro, the 19-year-old Austin,
Texas teen who, up until recently, was facing first degree felony charges for
allegedly manufacturing—with the intent to sell—pot brownies infused with hash
oil. This charge could have burdened Lavoro with a sentence as lofty as life in
federal prison. Fortunately, he has since been relieved of his first degree
felony charges, but all is still not well.

In an update from Lavoro’s lawyers posted on the Justice for Jacob Lavoro
Facebook page, a representative from the Law Office of Jack F. Holmes
writes, “Please don’t mistake the most serious charge being dropped as
Jacob being in the clear. It is good news, but Jack still has a fight ahead of
him. Just think, the difference of state lines means this never could have
happened.”

Lavoro is now facing second degree felony charges for possession
that could potentially land him a 22 year prison sentence.

While the Williamson County District Attorney made wise
decision in removing the first degree felony charge—presumably in large part due
to disgruntled supporters of Lavoro around the web and the world—the effectiveness
of weighing down a 19-year-old accused of having a home pot brownie business
doesn’t seem like a huge win for that all so crucial War of Drugs we’re
fighting. As a rep from the law firm representing Lavoro wisely pinpointed, a
few states over and this issue could have been avoided—or at least handled in a
way that wouldn’t cause a 19-year-old and his seemingly neutral and
non-inflammatory family irreparable stress.

Hopefully, these extreme examples of excessive punishment
will be fuel in the fire towards reform, rescheduling and eventual legalization.