Marijuana mogul busted for pot possessionBy John Ingold, The Denver Post
Posted: 06/10/2013 07:01:14 AM PDT
CEO Tripp Keber, of Dixie Elixir, runs the Denver-based medical marijuana company that produces medicated and non-medicated food items, beverages and salves. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)
The Colorado man behind one of the nation's largest medical-marijuana products companies won't be able to use marijuana for two years, after he was arrested for possession in Alabama.
Vincent "Tripp" Keber, who is the managing director of the company that makes the Dixie Elixirs line of marijuana-infused products, pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor marijuana possession in Baldwin County, Ala. A second charge of marijuana possession was dismissed as part of the deal, and the whole case will be wiped out if Keber stays trouble-free for the next two years, said Keber's lawyer, Harold Callaway.
As part of the deal, Keber must check in with authorities in Alabama daily and submit to random drug tests. If those tests turn up evidence of alcohol consumption or drug use — including marijuana use — Keber could face up to a year in jail, said Martha Simmons, a spokeswoman for the Baldwin County district attorney's office.
"This is a situation during some vacation where I basically made an error in judgment," Keber said.
Deputies arrested Keber on May 18 after he was found in possession of a small amount of concentrated marijuana while entering the Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Ala., said Baldwin County sheriff's Maj. Anthony Lowery. Arrest documents show Keber was also initially held on suspicion of felony possession of cocaine, though Callaway said deputies mistook a marijuana concentrate for cocaine. Keber denies possessing
cocaine, and Keber was charged only with marijuana possession.
Alabama does not have a medical-marijuana law. As a result of limited marijuana legalization in Colorado, Keber's possession likely wouldn't have brought criminal charges in this state. Dixie Elixirs makes an array of marijuana-infused oils, sweets and drinks. Keber said he reported the charges to Colorado's Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division and said he does not believe they will have an impact on the company's license.
http://www.chicoer.com/ci_23427079/marijuana-mogul-busted-pot-possession
