Judge praises distribution of marijuana to ill patients

Three men who pleaded guilty to distributing medical marijuana to seriously ill patients received probation instead of a federal prison term after a judge expressed admiration for their work and called the prosecution "badly misguided."

SCOTT IMLER, Jeff Yablan and Jeffrey Farrington received one year of probation and up to 250 hours of community service. They faced up to 30 months in prison after striking a plea bargain with prosecutors.
"Though it was hard to keep faith in the system throughout this process, I know mine was restored today," Imler said Monday as he thanked U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz for his leniency and prosecutors for treating him with respect.