Posted in The Guelph Mercury

June 9, 2007 edition of The Guelph Mercury, by Russell Barth (editorial)

“Your article notes Leora Shemesh saying if Marco Renda pleaded guilty to any drug-related counts he could have lost his federal exemption from marijuana laws….a medical marijuana user has to live under the constant threat of medicinal deprivation at the hands of his own government.” [Read more to find out how a Toronto drug lawyer helps medical marijuana user.]

Toronto Drug Lawyer Fights Drug Possession Charges

In Canada where human rights are protected, no sick man or woman would be deprived of their medicine by the government. Why then should a medical marijuana user be deprived of their medication? Marco Renda, as stated in the article above, was treated like a criminal for handling the medication he was licensed to carry

I am a drug lawyer who is disturbed by the way medical marijuana users are treated by their own government. As articulated in the article above, medical marijuana users are treated firstly as criminals, and secondly as patients.

To avoid drug possession charges, Marco Renda and other medical marijuana users must carry documentation to prove they are federal medical marijuana license holders. These documents must be carried and shown to authorities when questioned to avoid arrest. This puts medical marijuana users in a position similar to segregation, which is completely unacceptable.

This is why I have dedicated my expertise to defend medical marijuana users who are treated unfairly by the Canadian government. If you are facing marijuana charges, call my Toronto office today at (416) 944-8111 for a drug lawyer who has skillfully defended many clients facing drug possession charges.

June 8, 2007 edition of The Guelph Mercury, by Scott Tracey

Renda’s plea, the end result of extensive pretrial negotiations between Doney, defence counsel Leora Shemesh and Justice Walter Gonet, was carefully crafted. By pleading guilty to a non-drug offence, and admitting only that he mailed out plant marters, Renda has avoid ruffling any feathers at Health Canada.

A conviction bearing even a whiff of marijuana could have cost Renda his federal exemption from Canada’s marijuana laws. Could have cost him access — or at least legal access — to the only medicine he has ever found to combat his hepatitis C without crushing side effects. [Read more on how a defence lawyer fights medical marijuana charges.]

Defence Lawyer Against Unjust Marijuana Charges

Marco Renda, in the article above, faced marijuana charges which threatened to deny him his federal exemption from Canada’s marijuana laws. This punishment far outweighs a criminal record or jail time, as Renda suffers from hepatitis C. Other medicines he has tried resulted in negative side effects. Marijuana is without a doubt a medical necessity for Marco Renda.

I am a drug lawyer who is disturbed by the way medical marijuana users are treated by their own government. As articulated in the article above, medical marijuana users are treated firstly as criminals, and secondly as patients.

Yet Renda was threatened to have the only medication available to fight his sickness taken away from him due to an attempt to mail marijuana through the Canadian Post to fellow sick patients in the U.S. and Europe. I am a defence lawyer who believes it is Renda’s human right to have legal access to his medication, with or without a criminal record. For two years, I have fought Renda’s marijuana charges in an attempt to secure his right to medication and good health. In the end, I advised Renda to plead guilty for a lesser offence, which allowed him to keep his federal exemption from Canada’s marijuana laws.

If you need a defence lawyer to fight your wrongful marijuana charges, call my Toronto offices today at (416) 944-8111.

June 7, 2007 edition of The Guelph Mercury, by Scott Tracey

“A medical marijuana crusader accused of mailing pot to fellow users in the United States and Britain pleaded guilty yesterday to committing mischief by using Canada Post services “without proper authority.”…

Outside court, Renda’s lawyer, Leora Shemesh, said the plea was carefully crafted to protect her client’s Health Canada licence, which allows Renda to possess and grow marijuana.” [Read more on how a criminal trial lawyer defended drug crimes charges.]

Criminal Trial Lawyer Successful In Defending Against Drug Crimes Charges

As diabetic patients are in need of insulin, medical marijuana users are also in dire need of their medication. Marijuana is known to combat fibromyalgia and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as epilepsy and arthritis. In Marco Renda’s case, in the article above, he needed marijuana as a means to treat hepatitis C.

However, due to criminal charges against him, he was threatened to have his one and only medication for his sickness legally taken away from him. Many patients are being threatened by similar drug crimes charges involving marijuana, which is completely unjust. Any criminal, from convicted murderers to rapists, would never have their insulin taken away from them if he or she was diabetic. Why then did Marco Renda, who was charged with attempting to deliver marijuana by post to fellow sick patients, have his basic human right to medication stripped away from him?

As Renda’s criminal trial lawyer, I have dedicated two years to this case, and committed myself to freeing Renda from such bogus and unfair punishment.

So if you are facing similar punishment by the Canadian government, call my Toronto office today at (416) 944-8111. I am a criminal lawyer experienced in trials relating to marijuana and other drug crimes, and I look forward to hearing about your case.

May 11, 2006 edition of The Guelph Mercury, by Scott Tracey

“When court began yesterday morning, Hearn called the two lawyers into his office and explained the conflict. He later explained in open court why he could not continue to hear Renda’s case…

Shemesh said she had no problem with Hearn continuing with the case, but understood why the judge felt he must remove himself.” [Read more on how a Toronto defence lawyer fights marijuana possession charges.]

Marijuana Possession Charges Are No Match For Skilled Defence Lawyer From Toronto

As stated in the article above, Marco Renda faced marijuana possession charges and admitted to mailing the drug to users around the globe. The judge overlooking the case, Justice Gary Hearn, stepped down from his duty and requested another judge oversee the case. This occurred when Hearn discovered that a letter supporting Renda’s case was written by a personal acquaintance of his. Justice Hearn did not feel this would affect his ability to make a fair decision, but was concerned more about the appearance of possible bias. Renda considered this to be a positive sign, since Hearn’s acknowledgment of someone who uses marijuana for medical purposes gives Renda’s case more legitimacy.

As an experienced defence lawyer in Toronto, I am well versed in many cases resulting from marijuana possession charges, and used my best judgment when I advised Renda to plead guilty to a lesser offence. This lesser offence has avoided further issues with Health Canada and allowed Renda to keep his federal exemption for medical marijuana use.

Call me today at (416) 944-8111 for a Toronto defence lawyer skilled at fighting marijuana possession charges.

February 23, 2006 edition of The Guelph Mercury, by Scott Tracey

“…members of the OPP Drug Enforcement Section executed a search warrant at Renda’s Southgate Township home. During the search police seized eight vials of hashish oil, valued at $2300, from the living room.

Defence counsel Leora Shemesh of Toronto said Renda admits “the elements of the offences” to which he pleaded guilty, but disputes the value of the drugs attached by the Crown.” [Read the entire article.]

Find A Criminal Lawyer In Ontario Who Is Well Versed In Proper Search Warrant Procedures

As a criminal lawyer in Ontario, I have witnessed countless cases where the amount attached to the value of drugs obtained during the execution of a search warrant has gone unchallenged, and the accused was sentenced unfairly. It is your right as a citizen to be protected from invalid and incompetent searches of your private property.

As the article states above, Renda’s estate was searched by police who seized eight vials of hashish oil, valued at $3,200, according to the police. My client, Renda, admits to marijuana possession, but the value of the drugs was simply incorrect. The value of the drugs and the amount seized by police was estimated exceedingly high. This incorrect information could have lead to a greater punishment for my client, which is why I vigilantly protested this inconsistency of information. As Renda’s criminal lawyer, I ordered an assessment of whether Renda would be qualified for a conditional sentence.

If you live in Ontario and need a criminal lawyer to challenge the value of the drugs obtained during the execution of a search warrant, contact me online or call my office today at (416) 944-8111.