Medical Marijuana on Trial in Broward County: Kelley Kronenberg Attorney Michael C. Minardi Successfully Defends Patient in Historic Trial

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwired - March 02, 2015) - Kelley Kronenberg partner Michael C. Minardi successfully defended a 50-year-old Fort Lauderdale man who grew and used marijuana for medicinal purposes. It's the first time in Florida the "medical necessity" defense was used in a jury trial. This defense was established by the courts back in 1991, but up until now it was only argued in bench trials.

"This was a groundbreaking case and we are very pleased that the jury acquitted Jesse Teplicki on all charges," said Minardi who chairs Kelley Kronenberg's Regulated Substances Practice Group. "The evidence showed he was using cannabis to help him manage a serious and painful medical condition which he has endured for years."

Teplicki suffers from chronic anorexia which causes nausea, vomiting, weight loss, insomnia and lack of appetite. After trying several prescription drugs to help him improve appetite and abate the nausea, he finally found relief with cannabis. He was arrested on charges of manufacturing of 46 cannabis plants.

The verdict comes at a time when Florida lawmakers are set to debate legalizing medical marijuana. Senate Bill 528 filed by Republican Senator Jeff Brandes would allow patients to use the medicine in different forms. The bill addresses many of the perceived loopholes in Amendment 2 by providing for strict licensing and use regulations. Last year, Senate Bill 1030 was signed into law which legalized an oil-based extraction from a non-euphoric strain of cannabis to treat patients with epilepsy and other debilitating conditions.

"I think more and more Floridians understand how cannabis can be used to help suffering patients in a compassionate way," said Minardi.

Last summer, Minardi's law firm, Kelley Kronenberg, formed a Regulated Substances Practice Group in anticipation of medical cannabis becoming legal in Florida.

"Our firm is poised to be at the forefront of the medical marijuana industry following all regulations and its evolution," said Principal Partner and Chief Operating Officer Howard L. Wander. "We anticipate many of our business clients will be faced with multifaceted challenges and have questions as it relates to cannabis as a medicine. We want to be able to give them the best advice possible should medical marijuana become legal in Florida."

Minardi regularly represents patients throughout the state who have been criminally charged for cultivating and possessing cannabis for medical purposes. These clients are arguing they are justified in cultivating and/or possessing cannabis to treat their debilitating conditions under the medical necessity defense. Under the proposed Senate Bill 528, these same patients would likely qualify for a doctor's recommendation.

Over the years, Minardi has successfully argued and won many medical cannabis cases.

Click here to access video soundbites of Michael C. Minardi reacting to the verdict:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1yn5uuv8w4gli44/AADQf8MxgFZZnIyqXZagBBTKa?dl=0

About Kelley Kronenberg

Kelley Kronenberg is a national, full-service defense litigation law firm. Since 1980, the firm has built its reputation through hard work, passion and a focus on client service. Kelley Kronenberg represents clients across more than 25 practice areas and provides a full spectrum of litigation defense services. With nearly 100 lawyers and a network of 11 offices, it is ranked number 19 out of the top 25 law firms in South Florida by the South Florida Business Journal, and has been recognized as a Top Law Firm in Florida by the South Florida Legal Guide and LexisNexis ^® Martindale-Hubbell®. Kelley Kronenberg has a prominent presence throughout all of Florida and Chicago, Illinois. Kelley Kronenberg provides legal and business counsel to clients including corporations, insurance companies, business owners and entrepreneurs. A full listing of practice areas, legal services and office locations is available at www.kelleykronenberg.com. For more information call 954-370-9970 or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kelleykronenberg, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/KelleyKronenLaw, and on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/kelley-kronenberg.

About the Kelley Kronenberg Regulated Substances Practice Group:

The Kelley Kronenberg Regulated Substances Practice Group team has years of invaluable knowledge and first-hand involvement with the medical cannabis laws in Florida. Its goal is to provide clients with a wealth of unique insight into the different considerations that must go into the legal framework of the medical cannabis industry once established.

Kelley Kronenberg will assist clients in positioning themselves to enter the medical cannabis industry. Additionally, the group will feature firm attorneys to assist clients with possible issues that may arise from the legalization of medical cannabis as it relates to their businesses, including potential workers' compensation claims, labor and employment matters, environmental law, litigation, and general liability matters.

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