http://www.drugpolicy.org

San Diego April 27-U.S. District Judge James Fitzgerald sentenced high-profile medical marijuana activist, Steve McWilliams, to six months in federal prison, the maximum amount allowed under his plea bargain. McWilliams was also given three years probation, ordered to undergo drug counseling, and has to register as a convicted drug offender. All of the sentencing conditions will be stayed pending appeal.

Arrested in October by federal agents after handing out medical marijuana samples in front of San Diego city hall during one of his many protests and instrumental in encouraging San Diego to adopt Proposition 215 guidelines, McWilliams has taught several patients how to cultivate medical marijuana and how to obtain a doctor's prescription. San Diego is the largest city to adopt medical marijuana guidelines.