April 25, 2024

Its Official: Banda Files Lawsuit in Federal Court

Garden City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) Leading medical marijuana advocate Shona Banda of Garden City has made it official. Banda’s lawsuit filed in federal district court claims her civil rights are being violated for being unable to treat a debilitating condition (Crohn’s Disease) and for being denied the right to parent her child. Among those named in the lawsuit are Governor Sam Brownback, Garden City Police and former chief James Hawkins, USD 457 and the Kansas Department of Children and Families.

Police say a search of Banda’s home on March 24, 2015, yielded 1.25 pounds of marijuana, cannabis oil and other drug-related items. The search was prompted after Banda’s then 11 year old son made some comments about the medical benefits of marijuana during an in school program on preventing drug use. A pre-trial hearing on Banda’s case is scheduled for late July. If convicted on all charges the maximum is 30 years in prison.

File Photo Used Banda on right with her attorney Sarah Swain