Cannabis Advocate Banda Attends Custody Hearing; Waits on Potential Charges

Garden City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) The saga began last month when her 11 year old son spoke in class on the benefits for medical use of cannabis and continued Monday when 37 year old Shona Banda appeared in a child custody hearing at the Finney County Courthouse. Afterward Banda thanked supporters.

A judge has placed a gag order on the case. After alerted by school officials, police searched Banda’s home March 24th and say they uncovered 1 1/4 pounds of suspected marijuana and a lab for manufacturing cannabis oil. Banda years ago was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.

 County Attorney Susan Richmeier will ultimately determine if charges are filed.

There was enough attendance for Monday’s cannabis rally to attract some attention from those that walk by Stevens Park .  One of the participants came from all the way from California. Protester Russ Pataky of Wichita like others was not calling for the outright legalization of the drug, but for rights of medical patients.

Ty Yell traveled from Rogers, Arkansas to Garden City and has taken cannabis for his Crohn’s Disease. 

Almost 49 percent of Arkansans voted for medical marijuana in 2012, falling just short of passing.  The Kansas legislature also took up this issue this session, but failed to act.

*On-air story*