Pot Charges Against Legal Marijuana User Dismissed

Attorney Norman Elliot Kent announced today that all charges against Elvy Musikka, a 56-year old glaucoma patient from Hollywood, Florida, and one of only eight people in the country allowed by the federal government to use marijuana for medical treatment, have been dropped by the Alachua County State's Attorney's Office.

Musikka was arrested by Gainesville police on December 9, 1995 while performing on stage at the sixth annual Florida Hempfest. Despite having a prescription for marijuana issued to her by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Mussika was arrested after she took out one of her marijuana cigarettes and began smoking. She was dragged off the stage arm-and-arm by two police officers and was later charged with possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct. "The police just attacked the stage, reached up and grabbed me, and knocked me down," Musikka said. "I was in total shock."

"The State Attorney honorably entered a nolle prosequi [decision not to prosecute] all charges after we presented them with the medical and legal documentation that supported our position," stated Fort Lauderdale attorney Norm Kent.

Musikka says that she will continue to work as a medical marijuana activist.

For more information, please contact either Elvy Musikka at (954) 966-4238 or Attorney Norman Kent at (954) 763-1900.