Devontre Thomas Stared Down Federal Charges for a Gram of Cannabis. Here’s Why He Fought Back

[4now]

https://images.washingtonpost.com/?op=resize&url=&mode=crop&w=1200&q=99

On Aug. 4, Devontre Thomas learned that federal prosecutors threatening him with a year in prison for a gram of cannabis had backed down and dropped the charges.

At age 19, Thomas faced a peril that seems obsolete to many Oregonians: federal criminal charges for marijuana possession. But Thomas is Native American, and was accused of trying to buy a joint's worth of weed at Chemawa Indian School in Salem, a boarding school operated by an arm of the federal government.

Two weeks ago, WW told Thomas' story and asked why U.S. Attorney for Oregon Billy Williams would prosecute the case. The story went global—picked up by publications from High Times to The Guardian in London—and sparked outcry from Oregon's congressional delegation.

http://www.wweek.com/news/2016/08/10/an-exclusive-interview-with-devontre-thomas-who-stared-down-federal-charges-for-a-gram-of-cannabis/

Good for him.

[ms liberty]

1. Kick and rec. Glad to hear they dropped the charges. n/t