Medical Marijuana Operation Puts Two 'Samaritans' in Jail For 20 Years

If you think medical-marijuana as a legal means of palliative care is a blessing, you aren't the only one. Two California men were convicted of running a medical-marijuana operation, labeled a criminal enterprise may be thinking for 20 long years.

Luke Anthony Scarmazzo, 28, and Ricardo Ruiz Montes, 28, were convicted last week of

of conducting a continuing criminal enterprise, growing marijuana and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute

after making over $9 million USD and hiding behind California's law that legalizes marijuana for medical purposes. Scarmazzo and Montez had obtained a business license to sell Natural Health-Care Products under the name of California Healthcare Collective. Their products were natural, in that they were of the earth, but as far as a legitimate business, a court found otherwise. McGregor Scott, US Attorney, said:

"California's medical marijuana law clearly sets out that making a profit selling marijuana is illegal," Scott said. "These two set out to make as much money as they could as drug dealers, plain and simple."

The money they made was used to purchase six-figure automobiles and other personal items, clearly making them a profit entity. On charges of drug trafficking, the two were found Not Guilty and on charges on conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute, the jury could not reach a decision. The two face sentencing on August 4th, where the conviction of running a criminal enterprise carries a minimum sentence of twenty years.