Marijuana Policy Project

LAS VEGAS A judge revoked probation and ordered a self-described medical marijuana advocate to prison for 12 to 34 months following his arrest on new charges of selling the drug.

Pierre Werner, 35, offered no argument before sentencing Thursday, while his lawyer, Ryan Mortier, acknowledged Werner violated terms of his probation when police found marijuana plants in a house he was leasing.

However, Mortier told Clark County District Court Judge Valerie Adair that Werner would not admit wrongdoing.

Police In March reported finding 96 marijuana plants at a home that Werner leased in southwest Las Vegas. Police also found items with Werner's telephone number and an operation called "Medical Marijuana Referral."

Adair revoked the probation she imposed in November and allowed to remain in effect in January, after Werner was accused of smoking marijuana and driving to a meeting with his probation officer.

Werner, who had a license to grow pot to treat his bipolar disorder, has maintained that he was entitled to grow marijuana and provide it to other medical marijuana users.

Mortier acknowledged in court Thursday that Werner is no longer eligible for a medical marijuana license because he has a felony conviction.

Werner pleaded guilty in August to a felony charge of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, ending a trial that had been seen as a test of Nevada's medical marijuana program.

That case stemmed from the discovery by police of 45 marijuana plants and two ounces of marijuana at Werner's home in 2004.

Nevada voters in 2000 approved allowing licensed patients to keep an ounce of marijuana to treat doctor-diagnosed medical conditions. Those licensed by the Nevada Department of Agriculture can grow seven marijuana plants, but only three can be mature. Licensed patients can sell the drug to one other patient.