Michigan Cannabis Dispensaries’ Owner Loses Criminal Appeal

The owner of a chain of cannabis dispensaries in Michigan lost an appeal of his federal drug law convictions, after the Sixth Circuit on Friday said he didn’t comply with the state’s medical marijuana law.

The appeals court also rejected the defendant’s invocation of a Prohibition-era case to try to rebut the general rule that ignorance or mistake of the law is no excuse.

Daniel Trevino was sole owner of Hydro World LLC, which turned into a dispensary chain after the state passed the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. The MMMA allows state-licensed qualifying patients and primary caregivers to possess limited ...