At least $10,000 needed at
JonPedittoDefenseFund.com
HOLLYWOOD
(January 31) The producers and stars of the independent gonzo comedy
film High There have issued an urgent plea to fans, friends and
colleagues to help fund the appeal for jailed New Jersey cannabis activist Jon
Peditto.
Peditto's family and friends are asking for
contributions at the FundRzr site: JonPedittoDefenseFund.com.
Peditto, a New Jersey photographer and gardener,
was convicted in October of maintaining a drug production facility for growing
17 marijuana plants in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Under New Jersey sentencing
guidelines, he faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.
On Friday, sentencing Judge James Blaney, agreed
to handle the first-degree conviction as a second-degree offense "in the
interest of justice." Even so, he
sentenced the 54-year old Peditto to eight years in prison. He will be eligible
for parole after about two years.
"He no longer falls under Christie's
mandatory minimum sentence, but it's still bad," Peditto's father, acclaimed,
award-winning journalist, television producer and filmmaker John Parsons
Peditto said after the sentencing. "Growing ten plants is a
misdemeanor. That means he's getting
about a year per plant."
Peditto was arrested in 2012 and admitted
growing the plants for his personal use.
He rejected offers of a plea deal, and used his trial to challenge New
Jersey's outdated drug laws.
"Jon Peditto is a gentle man. He does not belong in a prison, especially
not for a nonviolent crime that would be rewarded in other states," said
High There producer Burt Kearns. "I'm really surprised and disappointed that
the news media don't find this to be a major story -- especially since Jon's
father was a mentor to and influence on so many
people in the news business today."
High There director and star Wayne Darwen, who
stars as "Dave High" in the BRINKvision film, called on his fellow
celebrities to support the Jon Peditto cause. "More than few celebs from
New Jersey like to flaunt their 420 credentials," Darwen said. "I challenge these stars, including Bill
Maher and Kevin Smith, to open their mouths, raise their voices, and open their
wallets and raise money to make this right."
"New Jersey's marijuana laws are cruel and
unusual, archaic and draconian," said High There executive producer Sam
Peters. "Every casual or occasional
marijuana user -- every person relying on marijuana for medical reasons-- is at
risk. You could be next."
In New Jersey, marijuana is classified in the
top tier of dangerous drugs, on the same level of heroin. New Jersey's governor and presidential
hopeful Chris Christie has said he considers marijuana to be a "gateway
drug" and vowed that if elected president, to vigorously enforce the
federal marijuana ban in states where it has been legalized.
Darwen and Kearns are longtime colleagues of
Peditto's father and, along with fellow director and co-star Henry Goren, have
championed Peditto's cause since his conviction.
High There is rooted in activism, focusing on
the case of Roger Christie, the founder of Hawaii's THC Church, who was
arrested on marijuana possession and trafficking charges and jailed for four
years without trial. Christie was
released to house arrest days after High
There's premiere.
Contributions to the John Peditto Defense Fund
can be made at
FOR
INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS, PRESS MATERIALS, REVIEWS
CONTACT:
Sam Peters
The
Alto Nido 1851 Ivar Hollywood 90028
