State v. Soper

135 Wash. App. 89
CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedSeptember 19, 2006
DocketNo. 33238-8-II
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 135 Wash. App. 89 (State v. Soper) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Soper, 135 Wash. App. 89 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).

Opinion

Bridgewater, J.

¶1 Ricky Lee Soper appeals his convictions of one count of manufacturing marijuana and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to manufacture or deliver. We hold that: (1) Soper failed to prove the foundation necessary to invoke the affirmative defense of the Medical Use of Marijuana Act (Act)1 when he failed to present evidence that he was a patient of a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW and (2) the trial court properly used ER 104(b) when it struck an out-of-state physician’s testimony, which the trial court had admitted subject to the introduction of his Washington physician’s license, as no longer relevant.

¶2 Having failed to prove that he was entitled to invoke the affirmative defense, Soper’s other arguments fail as well: (1) Soper’s argument concerning the definition of marijuana under the Act was meritless because he failed to bring himself within the ambit of the affirmative defense, (2) any instructional error regarding “ignorance of the law being no excuse” was harmless and was not an impermissible judicial comment on the evidence, and (3) the convictions were not the “same criminal conduct” because Soper’s intent to grow marijuana differed from his intent to deliver the finished product to others. Thus, we affirm.

FACTS

¶3 On August 2, 2004, the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team observed an outdoor marijuana grow op[94]*94eration on Soper’s property. After an investigation, the officers found the following: (1) 39 marijuana plants growing in a small shed, (2) 57 marijuana plants growing in several outdoor locations, (3) 5.7 ounces of “harvested” marijuana in a small shed, and (4) 102 packets of marijuana seeds in the residence. Report of Proceedings (RP) (Mar. 14, 2005) at 126.

¶4 Soper acknowledged that he was growing marijuana. He also acknowledged that he planned to distribute the 102 packets of marijuana seeds at “Hemp Fest.” RP (Mar. 14, 2005) at 126. Yet he also discussed with the officers his belief that he was a “qualified patient” under the Act.2 RP (Mar. 14, 2005) at 134.

¶5 Ultimately, the State charged Soper with one count of manufacturing marijuana and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to manufacture or deliver.3 At trial, Soper sought to invoke the affirmative defense of the Act, under which a “[q]ualif[ied] patient [ ]” and/or a “primary care giver [ ]” “shall not be found guilty of a crime under state law for their possession and limited use of marijuana.” RCW 69.51A.005.

¶6 As part of this defense, Soper sought to present testimony regarding the various characteristics of different parts of the marijuana plant. The State objected each time, arguing that the Act already defined marijuana for the purposes of the affirmative defense. According to the State, any other definition of marijuana would be confusing and improper. The trial court agreed with the State and concluded, “If you are attempting to use a different definition of what marijuana is, than is outlined in RCW 69.50.101(q), the objection will be sustained.” RP (Mar. 14, 2005) at 150.

¶7 As part of this defense, Soper also sought to present the testimony of Dr. David L. Dodge, his physician. But the [95]*95State objected to Dr. Dodge’s testimony because Soper never showed that Dr. Dodge was a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, as required by the Act. Ultimately, the trial court allowed Dr. Dodge to testify, contingent on proof of his Washington license. When the trial court did not receive proof of his Washington license, it granted the State’s motion to strike Dr. Dodge’s testimony in its entirety.

¶8 After striking Dr. Dodge’s testimony, the trial court read the jury instructions to the jury. Over Soper’s objection, the trial court included the following jury instruction: “It is not a defense to a criminal charge that the defendant believed his or her conduct was lawful. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for criminal conduct.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 103. Based on this and the other jury instructions, the jury found Soper guilty on both counts. The trial court then sentenced Soper to 60 days in jail. Soper timely appealed.

ANALYSIS

I. Statutory Overview

¶9 Codified at chapter 69.51A RCW, the Act ensures that “[qualifying patients with terminal or debilitating illnesses who, in the judgment of their physicians, would benefit from the medical use of marijuana, shall not be found guilty of a crime under state law for their possession and limited use of marijuana.” RCW 69.51A.005.4

¶10 To meet the definition of a qualifying patient, the defendant must prove that he:

(a) Is a patient of a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW;
(b) Has been diagnosed by that physician as having a terminal or debilitating medical condition;
[96]*96(c) Is a resident of the state of Washington at the time of such diagnosis;
(d) Has been advised by that physician about the risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana; and
(e) Has been advised by that physician that they may benefit from the medical use of marijuana.

RCW 69.51A.010C3).

¶11 A qualifying patient may then assert an affirmative defense to prosecution, provided he shall:

(a) Meet all criteria for status as a qualifying patient;
(b) Possess no more marijuana than is necessary for the patient’s personal, medical use, not exceeding the amount necessary for a sixty-day supply; and
(c) Present his or her valid documentation to any law enforcement official who questions the patient regarding his or her medical use of marijuana.

RCW 69.51A.040(2).

II. ER 104 — Preliminary Questions and Striking Dr. Dodge’s Testimony

¶12 Soper argues that the trial court deprived him of his constitutional right to present a defense when the trial court struck Dr. Dodge’s testimony. We disagree and examine the issue under ER 104.

¶13 We review a trial court’s admission of evidence and ruling on a motion to strike for an abuse of discretion. State v. Pirtle, 127 Wn.2d 628, 648, 904 P.2d 245 (1995), cert. denied, 518 U.S. 1026 (1996); King County Fire Prot. Dist. No. 16 v. Hous. Auth., 123 Wn.2d 819, 826, 872 P.2d 516 (1994). A trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds. State v. Perrett, 86 Wn. App.

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Bluebook (online)
135 Wash. App. 89, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-soper-washctapp-2006.