Medical-marijuana advocate set for court

Joel Castle, the Chico man facing felony charges for allegedly trading medical marijuana for a guitar in January 2010, finally has a court date. He’ll face the judge April 25, reported his attorney, Larry Willis.

Last year, after Castle’s January arrest and subsequent release—with the stipulation that he not smoke pot—he put himself back in jail at least twice as a protest against his Proposition 215 rights being stripped without him being convicted of anything.

The CN&R caught up with Castle in Butte County Jail a few weeks ago. Aside from his hair being a lot shorter, he’s the same old Castle, confident that he’ll be found not guilty and rallying fellow inmates jailed for nonviolent marijuana offenses.

“I’m fighting from the belly of the beast,” he said.