Commonwealth v. Vargas , 475 Mass. 86 ( 2016 )


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    SJC-11895
    COMMONWEALTH   vs.   DANNY VARGAS.
    Essex.      November 2, 2015. - August 3, 2016.
    Present:     Gants, C.J., Spina, Cordy, Botsford, Duffly, Lenk, &
    Hines, JJ.1
    Marijuana. Practice, Criminal, Probation, Revocation of
    probation, Assistance of counsel. Constitutional Law,
    Assistance of counsel.
    Indictment found and returned in the Superior Court
    Department on November 19, 2012.
    A proceeding for revocation of probation was heard by
    Richard E. Welch, III, J.
    The Supreme Judicial Court granted an application for
    direct appellate review.
    Michael D. Cutler for the defendant.
    Philip A. Mallard, Assistant District Attorney, for the
    Commonwealth.
    Eva G. Jellison & David J. Nathanson, for Committee for
    Public Counsel Services, amicus curiae, submitted a brief.
    1
    Justice Duffly participated in the deliberation on this
    case prior to her retirement.
    2
    David A.F. Lewis, Sarah Heaton Concannon, & Robyn R.
    Schwartz, for Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense
    Lawyers, amicus curiae, submitted a brief.
    HINES, J.   In this appeal, we are asked to decide whether
    the medical marijuana law, St. 2012, c. 369 (act),2 establishing
    immunity for the medical use of marijuana, applies in a
    probation surrender proceeding based on the use of marijuana,
    purportedly for medical purposes.   The issue arises from a
    judge's order finding the defendant, who claimed immunity under
    the act, in violation of probation for the use of marijuana,
    terminating the probation and imposing a sentence to State
    prison.
    The defendant challenges the disposition and seeks a new
    probation surrender hearing, arguing that the sentence violates
    his right, as a qualifying patient under the act, to the medical
    use of marijuana without adverse legal consequences.   He also
    argues that counsel was ineffective in failing to defend the
    probation surrender on this ground.   The Commonwealth counters
    that the court permissibly conditioned the defendant's probation
    on the prohibition of any nonprescription controlled substance,
    and properly terminated probation for failure to comply with
    this and other conditions.   The Commonwealth also argues that
    2
    On November 6, 2012, Massachusetts voters approved by
    referendum St. 2012, c. 369, "An Act for the humanitarian
    medical use of marijuana."
    3
    counsel was not ineffective for failing to assert the immunity
    provision of the act where defense counsel's decision to forgo a
    medical marijuana defense in favor of a plea for leniency was
    not manifestly unreasonable.
    We granted the defendant's application for direct appellate
    review.   We conclude that, in the circumstances of this case,
    the judge committed no error in finding the defendant in
    violation of his probation and that, although counsel was
    ineffective in stipulating to the violation without raising the
    issue as a defense to the violation, the defendant suffered no
    prejudice from this lapse.
    Background.     We summarize the facts as recited by the
    Commonwealth at the plea hearing and stipulated to by the
    defendant.    On October 12, 2012, the defendant entered a variety
    store in Haverhill, pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the
    clerk, and demanded money.     The clerk provided approximately
    $400, and the defendant left the store.     Information from the
    clerk and the defendant's mother tied the defendant to the
    robbery, and he subsequently confessed.     The defendant told
    police "that he used some of that money to pay back people to
    whom he owed money and also used some of the money to buy
    marijuana."
    Based on these facts, the defendant pleaded guilty to armed
    robbery in April 17, 2013.    During the plea hearing, the
    4
    defendant admitted to the regular use of marijuana and stated
    that he had used marijuana during the prior twenty-four hours.
    In accordance with an agreed-upon recommendation, the plea judge
    sentenced the defendant to three years of probation, which
    included conditions relating to illegal drug use without a
    prescription and random drug testing.3   Referencing the use of
    marijuana as a factor in the commission of the crime, the judge
    specifically informed the defendant that the prohibition on the
    use of illegal drugs included the use of marijuana.   The judge
    further explained that the defendant would be required to follow
    all Federal, State, and local laws during the period of
    probation.   The judge also explained, "Those laws include laws
    regarding possession of marijuana.   So during the period of
    probation you would not be able to possess or use marijuana even
    for personal use; do you understand that?"   The defendant
    responded, "Yes, Your Honor."   After receiving this information
    and before sentencing, the defendant stated his explicit
    agreement to the condition of no marijuana use:   "I would just
    like to say if I am put on probation Your Honor I will comply
    3
    The terms of the probation required the defendant to
    submit to random drug screens, attend substance abuse
    counselling, attend mental health treatment, use medication only
    as prescribed by doctors, abstain from use of controlled
    substances unless otherwise prescribed, submit a
    deoxyribonucleic acid sample, avoid contact with the variety
    store employees, complete high school, gain employment, and pay
    restitution in the amount of $400.
    5
    with everything that is put on me.   I will comply with
    everything and see it through and you will not see me in court
    again."   The judge imposed the probationary sentence with the
    stated conditions to take effect immediately.4
    On April 24, 2013, within days of the plea hearing, the
    defendant tested positive for marijuana.   He tested positive for
    marijuana a second time on May 14, 2013.   On May 29, 2013, the
    defendant secured a document from a physician entitled
    "Physician's Certificate for the Use of Medical Marijuana in the
    Commonwealth of Massachusetts Pursuant To 105 [Code Mass.
    Regs. §] 725" (certificate).5   That document purported to
    "certify and approve [the defendant's] use of medical marijuana"
    4
    The judge noted that he had a stark choice to make because
    he could only sentence the defendant to State prison or to a
    period of probation.
    5
    On May 8, 2013, the Department of Public Health
    (department) issued regulations implementing the medical
    marijuana law, St. 2012, c. 369 (act). Those regulations
    require a two-step process to trigger the immunity provisions:
    (1) a "written certification" from a qualified physician; and
    (2) a valid registration card. 105 Code Mass. Regs. 725.015(C)
    (2013). When the defendant received his certificate on May 29,
    2013, the department had not yet implemented the procedure for
    the issuance of a registration card. Therefore, as provided in
    the regulation, the certificate alone was sufficient to invoke
    the immunity provisions of the act. See Commonwealth v.
    Canning, 
    471 Mass. 341
    , 347-348 (2015).
    6
    for the relief of symptoms of a "debilitating medical
    condition."6
    On June 17, 2013, the probation officer issued a violation
    of probation notice based on the positive drug screens.     The
    defendant appeared with counsel on August 28, 2013, for the
    surrender hearing.     On the advice of counsel, the defendant
    stipulated to probation violations for the use of marijuana on
    April 24, May 14, May 31, and June 11, 2013, and for the use of
    cocaine on June 11, 2013.7
    Based on the facts asserted in the probation violation
    notice and the stipulation by the defendant, the judge found the
    defendant in violation of the terms of his probation and
    approved the agreed-upon recommendation that the defendant
    complete the level-three program at the Lawrence Community
    Correction Center8 "with the added condition that no use of
    6
    The Commonwealth challenges the validity of this document
    as a certificate for the medical use of marijuana, claiming that
    it was obtained from a "now-defunct . . . 'recommendation'-
    mill." We need not consider the issue based on our conclusion
    that even a valid certificate would not bar the judge's
    disposition on the probation violation.
    7
    Acknowledging that the certificate did not immunize the
    use of cocaine on June 11, 2013, the defendant claimed that the
    cocaine "must have been slipped into the marijuana without him
    knowing."
    8
    The level-three program at the Lawrence Community
    Correction Center requires daily reporting and other
    rehabilitation and educational services to criminal offenders.
    7
    drugs, including marijuana, be part of his probation."    The
    judge summarized the recommendation regarding drug use as
    follows, "Full menu, drug and alcohol free, except for
    prescribed medication for back condition by a licensed
    Massachusetts physician."    The probation officer inquired
    whether the condition would state, "including marijuana that
    he's not allowed to use" and defense counsel expanded that
    adding the words "including marijuana" would clarify the intent
    that all legal or illegal use is prohibited.    The judge agreed,
    stating, "No marijuana.    Okay."
    During the hearing, defense counsel informed the judge that
    on May 29, 2013, the defendant acquired a certificate for the
    medial use of marijuana.    He did not, however, offer it as a
    defense to the violation or request a modification of the
    conditions of probation on that ground.    Instead, defense
    counsel told the judge that he had reviewed the certificate and
    advised the defendant that it is "not a prescription, it's a
    medical recommendation . . . and it [is] not okay at this point
    in time, based on the way the law is right now, . . . for him to
    use marijuana under any circumstance until it's clarified or
    when we're clear as to who the providers are going to be."
    http://www.mass.gov/essexsheriff/facilities/community-
    corrections.html [https://perma.cc/2CTQ-CUNM].
    8
    After being reprobated at the August, 2013, surrender
    hearing and agreeing on the advice of counsel to forgo reliance
    on the certificate, the defendant again tested positive for
    marijuana, and he failed to comply with other probation
    conditions.   The probation department issued a second violation
    of probation notice9 on October 7, 2013, requiring the defendant
    to appear for a surrender hearing.   On October 23, 2013, the
    defendant appeared for a hearing on the appointment of counsel.
    At this hearing, the probation officer requested that the
    defendant be detained pending the final surrender hearing,
    explaining that he was requesting incarceration because the
    defendant "continues to miss drug tests and uses marijuana" in
    "flagrant disregard for the rules of the program that he's been
    sentenced to" and shows no "effort of compliance."   The judge
    declined the request to detain the defendant, appointed new
    counsel, and after receiving information about the defendant's
    background,10 inquired whether the parties could fashion an
    alternative to surrender.
    9
    The October 7, 2013, probation violation notice alleged
    the following violations: use of marijuana on September 19, 20,
    23, 27, and 30, 2013; failure to report to the Lawrence
    Community Correction Center on September 12, 25, and 26, 2013,
    and October 2 and 3, 2013; and failure to report for drug tests
    on September 17 and 26, 2013.
    10
    Defense counsel asserted that the defendant came from an
    "intact family," was "currently going to a high school to get
    9
    As at the first surrender hearing, newly appointed counsel
    made no attempt to leverage the certificate on the defendant's
    behalf.   He agreed to a preliminary stipulation to five
    violations for use of marijuana, two violations for failure to
    report for a drug test, and five violations for failing to
    report to the Lawrence Community Correction Center occurring in
    September and October, 2013.     In his argument to the court, he
    explained that he had discussed the medical marijuana
    certificate with the defendant and informed him that it would
    not be a defense to the probation violation.
    The judge agreed with counsel's analysis11 and then offered
    the defendant two options:     (1) the judge would continue
    sentencing for four weeks and if the defendant did not "fully
    comply with every single requirement of the Level Three
    Program," including that he "stop using any type of drug,
    including marijuana," and "show up for every single drug test,"
    he would receive the full State prison sentence for armed
    robbery and assault; or (2) the defendant could "go in for a
    week, and then to the county jail, and then try to have
    additional terms of probation after that."     The defendant
    his diploma" and was receiving percentages of from seventy to
    eighty in certain classes.
    11
    The judge emphatically stated his agreement, noting that
    even if "[the defendant] has Barack Obama's permission to toke
    at will, it doesn't matter."
    10
    acknowledged his understanding of the options and that the
    prohibition of marijuana use included medical and nonmedical
    marijuana use and, through counsel, expressed his desire to
    accept the first option, which would allow him to avoid the
    short period of incarceration.         Accordingly, the judge continued
    the hearing for four weeks.
    On November 19, 2013, the probation department issued a
    third violation of probation notice for the defendant's
    appearance on November 20, 2013.        This notice followed a
    positive marijuana test on November 14 and a failure to report
    for a drug test on November 19.        At the final surrender hearing
    on December 11, 2013, before the same judge who had presided at
    the October 23, 2013, hearing, the probation officer informed
    the judge that the defendant failed to appear at the November
    20, 2013, hearing.        Defense counsel reiterated his stipulation
    to the violations and made no further reference to the
    certificate.   The judge terminated the probation and sentenced
    the defendant to a term of not less than two years, and no more
    than four years in State prison.        This disposition is the
    subject of the defendant's appeal.
    Discussion.      1.    Immunity.   The defendant argues that the
    judge erred by imposing a sentence for the probation violation
    based on the medical use of marijuana because, as a qualified
    patient, the act granted him immunity from punishment for that
    11
    conduct.12   More specifically, the defendant contends that the
    judge was prohibited by the act from sentencing for probation
    violations relating to marijuana because -- prior to the
    sentencing hearing -- he had obtained a certificate for the
    medical use of marijuana.   We disagree.   The judge was not bound
    by any such restraint where, prior to acquiring the certificate,
    the defendant agreed to conditions of probation prohibiting the
    use of marijuana and failed to secure a modification of that
    condition based on his later acquired qualifying patient status.
    Nor was the defendant a qualifying patient entitled to immunity
    under the act when he violated the conditions of his probation
    by using marijuana prior to acquiring the certificate.13    We
    conclude also that even if the defendant were entitled to
    immunity for the medical use of marijuana, the judge could
    12
    The stated purpose of the act is as follows: "The
    citizens of Massachusetts intend that there should be no
    punishment under state law for qualifying patients, physicians
    and health care professionals, personal caregivers for patients,
    or medical marijuana treatment center agents for the medical use
    of marijuana, as defined herein." St. 2012, c. 369, § 1. The
    act expressly authorizes certain conduct relating to marijuana
    that was previously criminalized. 
    Canning, 471 Mass. at 349
    .
    13
    Because the defendant was not a qualifying patient at the
    relevant time for the purposes of the act, we do not reach the
    broader question whether the medical marijuana law limits a
    judge's authority to prohibit the use of medical marijuana as a
    condition of probation where the defendant objects to this
    condition.
    12
    properly sentence the defendant for violations independent of
    the use of marijuana.
    The analysis of the defendant's right to use medical
    marijuana without adverse legal consequences to his probationary
    status begins with the language of the act, which provides in
    relevant part as follows:    "Any person meeting the requirements
    under this law shall not be penalized under Massachusetts law in
    any manner, or denied any right or privilege, for such actions."
    St. 2012, c. 369, § 4.    More specifically, with regard to the
    use of medical marijuana, the act further provides, subject only
    to certain conditions not relevant in this case, that "[a]
    qualifying patient . . . shall not be subject to arrest or
    prosecution, or civil penalty, for the medical use of medical
    marijuana."   
    Id. A "[q]ualifying
    patient" is further defined as
    "a person who has been diagnosed by a licensed physician as
    having a debilitating medical condition."   St. 2012, c. 369,
    § 2 (K).   We assume without deciding that the defendant was a
    "qualifying patient" under the act when he acquired the
    certificate on May 29, 2013.14   What we must determine is whether
    his status as a qualifying patient as of that date immunizes his
    14
    The regulations adopted on May 8, 2013, require that the
    certificate "shall be issued in a form and manner determined by
    the [d]epartment." 105 Code Mass. Regs. 725.010(N) (2013).
    However, it does not appear that the department had further
    specified the "form" on May 29, 2013, when the defendant
    acquired his certificate.
    13
    use of marijuana in violation of a condition of probation
    imposed before he became a qualifying patient.   It does not.
    As a threshold matter, the defendant does not dispute that
    he violated the conditions of his probation by testing positive
    for marijuana before he received the certificate.    Bypassing the
    implications of this nonimmunized use of marijuana, the
    defendant argues that the issuance of the certificate prohibits
    any punishment for the medical use of marijuana at any time
    thereafter.   We reject this argument, as it overlooks the
    defendant's waiver of his right to use marijuana during the plea
    hearing and the inherent authority of the court to impose a
    prison sentence for a violation of that condition.   See
    Commonwealth v. Durling, 
    407 Mass. 108
    , 112 (1990), quoting
    Rubera v. Commonwealth, 
    371 Mass. 177
    , 180-181 (1976) ("Any
    conduct by a person on probation which constitutes a violation
    of any of the conditions of his probation may form the basis for
    the revocation of that probation").
    In agreeing to abide by the condition of no marijuana use,
    the defendant explicitly waived his right not to be prosecuted
    for the use or possession of marijuana,15 and he agreed to be
    subject to punishment for noncompliance.   And, consistent with
    the court's inherent authority to enforce the conditions of
    15
    Under G. L. c. 94C, § 32L, a person may possess "one
    ounce or less" of marijuana without criminal consequences.
    14
    probation, going forward, the court could impose appropriate
    sanctions for noncompliance.   See 
    Durling, 407 Mass. at 111-112
    ,
    citing McHoul v. Commonwealth, 
    365 Mass. 465
    , 469-470 (1974)
    ("If the judge determines that the defendant is in violation, he
    can either revoke the probation and sentence the defendant or,
    if appropriate, modify the terms of his probation.   How best to
    deal with the probationer is within the judge's discretion").
    Because the immunity under the act can only apply once a person
    is designated a qualifying patient, it may not be invoked to
    grant that protection at an earlier time.   The plain language of
    the act contemplates a restraint on punishment, and necessarily
    applies only in circumstances where a person already has
    attained the status of a qualifying patient.   See St. 2012,
    c. 369, § 4 (providing protections for qualifying patients and
    personal caregivers "meeting the requirements under this law").
    It does not operate to relieve the defendant of obligations and
    duties he undertook when he agreed to a condition of probation
    prohibiting the use of marijuana before attaining the status of
    qualifying patient.   Thus, we discern nothing in the act to
    support an interpretation that allows a defendant in such
    circumstances merely to acquire a certificate for the medical
    use of marijuana and, thereby, to vitiate the court's inherent
    authority to punish the violation of a preexisting condition of
    probation.
    15
    Interpreting the act to require a nexus between qualifying
    patient status and the timing of the particular punishment
    serves important policy interests as well.    The prospective
    focus of the act avoids a wholesale disruption of dispositions
    in criminal cases as would occur if a probationer could acquire
    a certificate and demand the retraction of a prohibition on the
    use of marijuana.   Likewise, the prospective application of the
    immunity provision preserves the court's authority to fashion
    appropriate dispositions for public safety in criminal cases
    without the threat of a future limitation on the prohibition of
    marijuana use.
    Last, we view with disfavor a defendant's agreement to
    refrain from the use of marijuana in exchange for probation on a
    life felony and his later attempt to repudiate that agreement by
    acquiring a certificate for the medical use of marijuana after
    he has violated the probation condition prohibiting the use of
    marijuana.   To be clear, we do not suggest that a defendant,
    bound by conditions of probation prohibiting the use of
    marijuana, may not seek the protection of the act.    He or she
    may do so by requesting a modification of the conditions of
    probation, which would be considered in the ordinary course in
    light of all the relevant circumstances.     However, we take
    seriously the purpose of the act as a medical breakthrough for
    patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions; any
    16
    advantage to a criminal defendant is only incidental.     In sum,
    where a court has prohibited the use of marijuana as a condition
    of probation prior to a defendant acquiring the status of
    qualifying patient, the defendant is not entitled to immunity
    under the act.   He or she may, however, seek a modification of
    the condition of probation to accommodate the need for the
    medical use of marijuana.
    2.   Ineffective assistance of counsel.   The defendant
    argues that in failing to defend the probation violation on the
    ground that the defendant's marijuana use was protected under
    the act by the certificate, counsel provided constitutionally
    ineffective assistance during the surrender proceedings.      We
    conclude counsel's performance in this respect was not
    deficient, but that counsel's failure to seek modification of
    the probation conditions on that ground fell "measurably below
    that which might be expected from an ordinary fallible lawyer,"
    Commonwealth v. Saferian, 
    366 Mass. 89
    , 96 (1974).     We conclude,
    however, that counsel's lapse was not consequential.    Therefore,
    we reject the defendant's contention that he is entitled to a
    new probation surrender hearing on this ground.
    It is well settled that "a probationer is entitled to the
    effective assistance of counsel at a probation violation hearing
    whenever imprisonment may result."   Commonwealth v. Pena, 
    462 Mass. 183
    , 188 (2012).   The defendant or probationer bears the
    17
    burden of proving ineffectiveness by a showing that counsel's
    representation was constitutionally inadequate and that the
    defendant suffered prejudice.   See Commonwealth v. Kolenovic,
    
    471 Mass. 664
    , 673 (2015); 
    Saferian, 366 Mass. at 96
    .   We
    consider the defendant's argument as to each required prong of
    the ineffective assistance of counsel claim.
    a.   Counsel's performance.   The defendant was represented
    by two different attorneys during the proceedings, neither of
    whom proffered the certificate as a defense to the asserted
    violation for marijuana use or as a basis for modification of
    the condition prohibiting the use of marijuana.   Both attorneys
    advised the defendant, and argued to the court, that the medical
    marijuana certificate lacked any legal effect and that it could
    not be asserted as a defense to the probation violation.
    The first attorney appeared for the defendant at the
    initial probation surrender hearing on August 28, 2013, during
    which the probation officer urged surrender based on the
    defendant's violation of the condition prohibiting the use of
    all "illegal" drugs.   However, the defendant had secured the
    certificate on May 29, 2013, which, in accordance with the act,
    theoretically could have immunized his use of marijuana after
    that date.   During the hearing, however, counsel stipulated to
    all violations (including marijuana use before and after he
    obtained the certificate) and expressly eschewed any possible
    18
    use of the certificate as a justification for the defendant's
    violation.   Counsel told the judge that the defendant "was under
    the impression that he could get medical marijuana" because of
    the certificate, but that he (counsel) informed the defendant
    that the certificate "is not a prescription, and it [is] not
    okay at this point in time, based on the way the law is right
    now, . . . for him to use marijuana under any circumstance until
    it's clarified or when we're clear as to who the providers are
    going to be."   The act contained no such provision, however, and
    provided immunity to qualifying patients from "arrest or
    prosecution, or civil penalty," for the medical use of marijuana
    in accordance with the act.   St. 2012, c. 369, § 4.   With the
    certificate in hand, counsel was obligated, at the very least,
    to consider seeking a modification of the conditions of
    probation based on the certificate.
    The second attorney's conduct at the October hearing and
    the December final surrender hearing was similarly lacking in
    the required level of professional competence.    During the
    October hearing at which the judge considered alternatives to
    surrender, counsel appeared to dismiss any possible
    justification for the defendant's use of marijuana for medical
    purposes, asserting that the defendant suffered from an
    "addiction" to marijuana and believed that "this medical
    marijuana thing was his be all and end all."     He then added his
    19
    own view that "[i]t's not."16   This statement in open court
    revealed, inappropriately so, a suspicion of the defendant's
    motivation for the medical marijuana certificate.
    At the final surrender hearing in December, 2013, the
    attorney stipulated to the defendant's probation violations,
    thereby declining to take any account of the medical marijuana
    certificate.   Here, counsel was even more openly skeptical of
    the defendant's legal rights under the certificate, referring to
    the defendant's "cleverness" in obtaining the certificate.
    Despite the long odds of success at this stage of the
    surrender proceedings, the option of a modification of the
    probation remained available to the defendant, particularly
    where it had not been considered previously.   On this record, it
    appears that counsel not only failed to assess the legal
    16
    Inexplicably, counsel at the October hearing appeared not
    to appreciate his role as advocate for the defendant during the
    hearing. For example, counsel, who had met the defendant for
    the first time when he was appointed the day of the hearing,
    stated to the judge that "he [the defendant] has skyrocketed
    into the top ten of the most infuriating clients I've ever had
    the opportunity to represent." Counsel used this reference on
    several occasions during the course of the hearing. In a
    similar vein, counsel agreed with the judge's suggestion that
    the defendant was not a good probationer, adding that the
    defendant was "a horrible probationer." Also, defense counsel
    was unusually frank in reporting the content of his discussion
    with the defendant regarding the certificate. He revealed to
    the judge that he had asked the defendant whether he had court
    permission to use marijuana in accordance with the certificate
    and that the defendant had answered "no."
    20
    viability of the certificate as a defense to the probation
    violation, but also expressly disparaged its legitimacy.        Such
    conduct is not acceptable as a standard for the "ordinary
    fallible lawyer."      
    Saferian, 366 Mass. at 96
    .
    We have noted the Commonwealth's position that counsel's
    decision to bypass the medical marijuana certificate was a
    tactical strategy to obtain the most favorable disposition on
    the surrender and that, as such, it was not "manifestly
    unreasonable," Commonwealth v. Acevedo, 
    446 Mass. 435
    , 442
    (2006), in light of the defendant's other unrelated violations
    of the probation conditions.     The point is well taken because
    the judge reasonably could expect strict compliance with the
    terms of straight probation on a life felony.       Nonetheless, this
    case presented important issues of first impression that should
    not have been resolved against the defendant by counsel's
    uninformed and narrow interpretation of the reach of the act.17
    b.   Prejudice.    Although we conclude that counsel was
    obligated to pursue at least a modification of the conditions of
    probation to accommodate the defendant's medical marijuana
    certificate, the failure to do so in the circumstances of this
    case was not prejudicial.     The use of marijuana was not the only
    17
    At the time of the hearing, no appellate court had opined
    on the parameters of the act for "qualifying patients" in
    criminal proceedings.
    21
    compliance issue for the defendant and the judge properly could
    have terminated the probation on grounds unrelated to the use of
    marijuana.
    The defendant does not challenge the validity of the
    conditions requiring him to report for drug testing and the
    mandated drug program, nor does he dispute that these violations
    occurred.    The defendant failed to report for drug testing on
    three different occasions, on September 17, 2013; September 26,
    2013; and on November 19, 2013.18   Also, the defendant was found
    to have used cocaine on June 11, 2013.    Even if the judge had
    given full effect to the medical marijuana certificate, the use
    of cocaine would stand as a violation of the condition
    prohibiting the use of illegal drugs.    In ruling on the
    defendant's motion for a new hearing on the probation surrender,
    the judge specifically cited the compliance issues independent
    of the marijuana use.    Thus, there was no prejudice in counsel's
    failure to proffer the certificate as a defense or as a basis
    for modification of the conditions of probation.
    18
    The probation officer also alleged that the defendant
    failed to report to the level-three program at the Lawrence
    Community Correction Center program. It appears that the
    defendant was terminated from the program sometime between the
    October 23, 2013, hearing and sentencing on December 11, 2013,
    because of a juvenile sex offense in Florida.
    22
    Conclusion.   We affirm the order finding the defendant in
    violation of the conditions of probation and the sentence based
    on that violation.
    So ordered.
    

Document Info

Docket Number: SJC 11895

Citation Numbers: 475 Mass. 86

Filed Date: 8/3/2016

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 1/12/2023