Eddy Lepp's next court date will be March 14th at 9am. He is still being held, in lockdown, at the Santa Rita Jail, and has been visited by very few people. Read more He is facing multiple life sentences, as is Daniel Barnes.
March 2nd: Eddy Lepp and Daniel Barnes will be arraigned together tomorrow morning at 9:30am.
February 28th: Eddy Lepp finally saw a judge in a Federal Court in San Francisco today. Lepp's federal defender, David Fermino, explained in court that Lepp is an ordained minister and represents a religious group and that his prosecution "runs afoul of First Amendment and other Constitutional protections." The Judge, who declined to release Eddy Lepp on bond, is forwarding the case on to another magistrate. In court today, Eddy repeated an earlier request that the jail allow his family to send him necessary denture adhesive. He said he would raise lack of proper dental treatment and restricted access to legal material as arguments for release. "...can I get the stuff so I can at least eat, please," said Lepp, holding back tears. "That's not my call," replied James coolly. "I don't control the prison, Mr. Lepp." Daniel Barnes, who allegedly delivered a pound of cannabis to an undercover agent, was also arrested on February 16th, and was released on bond on February 25th. | Coverage of the February 16th arrests at Eddy's Medicinal Gardens | 2/28 Report by Ann Harrison

Eddy Lepp is reportedly set to enter a plea when he appears in front of Magistrate Joseph Spero for an arraignment on Wednesday March 3 at 9:30 am. Lepp will appear again in front of Judge Marilyn Patel on Monday March 7th at 9:30 am. The judge will be asked to decide whether Lepp can defend himself and hear an appeal of his detention and denial of bond. Lepp said last Friday that he plans to represent himself in court to fight federal marijuana cultivation charges that could condemn him to five life sentences. Lepp intended to argue that his cannabis crops, which have been taken twice by the DEA, were not only lawful, but also were an expression of religious freedom. Lepp was arrested at his home in Lake County on February 16 and has been in custody ever since. Eddy Lepp's arraignment and bail hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning February 23rd at 9:30am had to be rescheduled because Eddy sustained a fall. Read more