Mother helps Las Vegas marijuana activist post bond

Marijuana advocate Pierre Werner is expected to get out of jail sometime today.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leavitt approved Werner's release Tuesday after the defendant's mother, Reynalda Barnett, put up her two Las Vegas homes as collateral for his $100,000 bond.

The judge reminded Barnett that she could lose the homes if her son violates any of the conditions of his release.

"Are you still willing to post these securities as collateral for the bond?" Leavitt asked. Barnett said she was.

Werner was one of 14 people, including his mother and younger brother, arrested Jan. 6 in connection with marijuana sales at Las Vegas dispensaries.

Leavitt released Werner's brother, Clyde Barnett, and mother the following day without requiring a bond, but federal prosecutors argued that Werner, who has prior felony drug convictions, should be detained pending trial.

As a career offender, Werner "is looking at a significant sentence in this case," Assistant U.S. attorney Bradley Giles said in January.

Giles repeated that sentiment in court on Tuesday, saying, "He's potentially a career offender in this case."

Outside the courtroom, Werner's newly appointed lawyer, Michael Kimbrell, said the family has been involved in plea negotiations with prosecutors.

"The spirit is toward resolution for the entire family," the defense attorney said.

Kimbrell declined to discuss specifics of the talks but suggested that Reynalda and Clyde Barnett would get probation.

The arrests followed the September raids of several Las Vegas dispensaries, including Dr. Reefer, a business operated by Reynalda and Clyde Barnett at 8975 S. Pecos Road. Clark County suspended Dr. Reefer's business license in November.

Storefront marijuana dispensaries are not recognized under Nevada's Medical Marijuana Act, the U.S. attorney's office has said, and it is illegal to sell medical marijuana in Nevada. Medical marijuana patients and caregivers in the state must grow their own.

Werner's previous lawyer, Conrad Claus, said Dr. Reefer's business plan was established in a way that kept Werner out of daily operations. Werner was wearing a Dr. Reefer T-shirt when he appeared in court the day after his arrest.

In an interview outside the courtroom Tuesday, Reynalda Barnett said Werner had nothing to do with her dispensary. She described the dispensary as her "stupid idea" and said she provided marijuana to patients in exchange for "donations."

"I regret it now," she said.

Reynalda Barnett said Werner was living in Colorado but urged her to close her dispensary when he returned. The woman said dozens of other dispensaries were operating in Las Vegas at the time, so she "thought it was safe."

She said Werner, 39, will live with her after his release. Leavitt barred Werner from having any involvement with marijuana while awaiting trial.

Werner will be monitored electronically and must stay in Nevada. The defendant agreed to stop selling his ebook, "How to Open a Successful Medical Marijuana Dispensary," as a condition of his release.

All three members of the family are charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Reynalda and Clyde Barnett also are charged with distribution of marijuana. Werner and Reynalda Barnett face additional charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and concealing or failing to disclose information affecting Social Security benefits.

Werner has served two stints in prison for possession of marijuana with the intent to sell. When he finished his second sentence in 2008, he launched a medical marijuana dispensary in Colorado, where it is legal to sell the drug to patients with chronic ailments.

But after Colorado passed a law forbidding convicted felons from owning a dispensary, Werner returned to Las Vegas.

According to the criminal complaint, an undercover detective went to Dr. Reefer on Aug. 5 and was greeted by Clyde Barnett and Werner. Werner told the detective that he was taking over the business from his mother.

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.