San Diego Couple Acquitted in Medical Marijuana Case

A Ramona couple whose home was raided by federal agents with guns drawn were acquitted on marijuana charges in court

Dennis and Deborah Little say law enforcement has made them feel like criminals for the last two years even though the Ramona couple knew they were not guilty.

“We followed the letters of the law as we knew it," Dennis Little told NBC 7 in an exclusive interview Tuesday following the ruling that acquitted him and his wife in a challenging legal battle they’ve face since their arrest in October 2012.

Dennis and Deborah Little suffer from serious health ailments like HIV/AIDS and cancer.

In 2011, they began growing marijuana after being issued medical marijuana cards.

Two years ago, their property east of San Diego was raided by federal and state narcotics agents – with guns drawn.

Prosecutors say agents seized hundreds of pounds of useable marijuana. The Little’s disputed that claim saying they had 25 plants. They also denied allegations that they had planned to sell the drug.

"It's been rough. It's been really rough,” Deborah Littie said. “I mean, you're going in and you believe that the police are supposed to be honest and that the courts are supposed to be honest and then you're hit upside the head with, nobody is telling the truth here."

Jurors sided with the couple and acquitted the Little’s of charges of possession of marijuana for sale and of cultivation of marijuana.

Deborah and Dennis say they're glad the nightmare is finally over, but their lives have taken a beating because of it, including a laundry list of prescription medication.

"They just keep piling them on and on and on. So I have to get myself weaned off of, I mean, I'm taking some pretty heavy duty anxiety, pain, besides I haven't been able to follow up on getting the care that I'm supposed to be getting," Deborah said.

"Our lives are back on track now. I feel a huge burden off my shoulders," Dennis said.

Dennis and Deborah say they have little faith in law enforcement but they've taken the positive out of the situation and are now court supporters for others in similar situations.

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