People v. Jackson CA2/5

INTRODUCTION

Defendant and appellant Robert Jackson was convicted of possession of marijuana for sale. (Health & Saf. Code, § 11359.) The trial court sentenced defendant to two years in county jail. On appeal, defendant contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence, insufficient evidence supports his conviction for possession of marijuana for sale, and the trial court erred when it refused to instruct the jury that qualified patients under the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Health & Saf. Code, § 11362.5) may possess up to eight ounces of marijuana. Defendant also asks that we independently review the sealed reporter’s transcript of, and the personnel records the trial court reviewed in, an in camera hearing pursuant to Pitchess v. Superior Court (1974) 11 Cal.3d 531 (Pitchess). We affirm.

BACKGROUND

About 9:00 p.m. on October 27, 2012, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputies Lohnnie Day and Diane Mekdara were on patrol in Palmdale. The deputies noticed a car with what appeared to be expired tags. The deputies determined that the car’s registration was not current, which was a traffic violation. The deputies initiated a traffic stop.…