United States v. Scarmazzo
United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
554 F. Supp. 2d 1102 (2008)
Relevant factsFree
Luke Scarmazzo (defendant) was charged with knowingly manufacturing, distributing, or possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, and the government moved in limine to prevent the defense from presenting evidence that Scarmazzo believed in good faith that marijuana had medical value or that he relied on an attorney's advice about the legality of his conduct.
IssueFree
Whether a defendant charged with a federal drug offense that does not require knowledge of illegality may present a mistake-of-law defense based on a good-faith belief in the substance's medical value or reliance on an attorney's advice.