Ahmed

*138 Ramin Ahmed was convicted of possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana, and money laundering. He contends the trial court erred when it prohibited him from asserting a medical marijuana defense, that it gave a number of erroneous jury instructions, and that his attorney provided constitutionally inadequate representation. The court's ruling barring Ahmed's medical marijuana defense violated his constitutional right to present a defense, so we reverse.

BACKGROUND

Ahmed operated a business in Livermore selling medical marijuana products. Livermore, however, has a municipal ordinance that prohibits marijuana dispensaries. In February 2014 the city issued an administrative citation for violating the ordinance and ordered him to cease operations.

In January 2015 undercover officers purchased a small quantity of marijuana from Ahmed after being required to sign a membership agreement and produce identification, state medical marijuana cards and physicians' recommendations. In February police searched Ahmed's business and seized financial records, approximately $26,000 in cash, 18 pounds of marijuana, and 37 ounces of marijuana oils, wax and edibles. They also…