Courts

Trial set for MT men involved in marijuana raid

Posted: Mar 15, 2012 6:39 AM by Irina Cates- KPAX News

MISSOULA- Attorneys spent almost two hours in front of a Missoula federal court judge on Wednesday afternoon making their motions in preparation for an upcoming trial involving a Flathead County medical marijuana dispensary.

Prosecutors say Christopher Ryan Durbin, his brother Aaron as well as Justin Lee Maddock were involved in marijuana growing operations. They're accused of growing pot at their business, Good Medicine Providers, Inc. and in two other locations.

The investigation revealed Christopher Durbin had been distributing large quantities of marijuana to individuals both inside and outside the state of Montana.

During Wednesday afternoon's motions hearing in front of Judge Donald Molloy, the defense argued they should be able to use the terms "dispensary" and "medical marijuana" during the trial for Christopher Durbin.

Prosecutors said they don't need to use those terms, but they also said that the government won't suggest that Durbin was "back dooring" the drugs.

The defense also argued that the U.S. government officials said they wouldn't prosecute people who follow their state's medical marijuana law, but now they are.

Prosecutors said the people had to be in strict compliance with the state law and that Durbin and the co-defendants in this case were not and that's why they're being prosecuted.

Christopher Durbin's trial was set for this coming Monday, but it was continued to April 2nd. The judge hasn't ruled on the motions made by the attorneys.