By Danny Danko
Photo by Dan Skye
 
Lepptomania, n. Extreme stubbornness in the belief that state law is sovereign over federal law with respect to medical marijuana.
 
Many HIGH TIMES readers will remember Eddy Lepp from his spectacularly huge garden of over 32,000 plants in Lake County, California that was featured several times in our pages. The garden, dubbed Eddy's Healing Fields was massive, with plants outdoors in full sunlight over many acres by the side of the roadway.
 
In August of 2004, Federal Agents raided the farm and arrested him. That same year, he joined us in Amsterdam for the HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup as Freedom Fighter of the Year. 
 
He was convicted of cultivation of more than 1,000 plants in 2007. He also lost his wife Linda to cancer that year. On July 6, 2009, Charles “Eddy” Lepp surrendered himself to face his 10-year mandatory minimum incarceration.
 
Eddy has already spent over three years in prison. His appeal was recently denied and his health is failing. Keep in mind, Eddy was recently moved from Lompoc Federal Correctional Institution in California to an FCI in Texas (new address below).
 
He recently told Soft Secrets, "Life in prison is very boring. There is little to do and less to care about. I [play] Bocci, read, write. The guys I am in here with, many of them are wonderful people and we would all be better off with many of them home with their families, helping."
 
Please send your letters of support and encouragement to:
 
Charles Lepp 90157011
FCI LA TUNA
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
PO Box 3000
Anthony, TX 88021
 
Video: The Rise and Fall of Eddy Lepp
[youtube|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he2QTgi8lI4]