Medical marijuana advocate loses custody of son, could face charges

Kansas woman did not get custody of her son following a hearing this week

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A Kansas medical marijuana advocate has lost custody of her son after the child made comments about drugs in his home while he was at school. The woman also could face criminal charges.

Shona Banda’s 11-year-old son was taken from her in late March after the boy told school officials that his mother and other adults in the home often used drugs, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Police were called to the school to check on the child’s welfare and later searched Ms Banda’s home.

During the search they found 1.25 pounds (0.56 kg) of marijuana, a small lab for converting marijuana to cannabis oil on the kitchen table and various drug paraphernalia, all within reach of the child.

The boy was put in the custody of his father but ended up back with Ms Banda, so police put the child in protective custody.

Ms Banda did not get custody of her son after a hearing this week and authorities say they still could press charges against the woman, including possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and child endangerment.

“That’s OK — I am not giving up,” Ms Banda said, according to the Capital-Journal. “I will, I will get him and I am not going to stop until I do.”

Ms Banda reportedly is a motivational speaker and an author on the medical marijuana issue. In the US, 23 states and Washington DC allow the possession and use of medical marijuana, but Kansas is not one of those. The first offence for pot possession in the state is a misdemeanour, punishable by up to one year in jail.

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