Marijuana legalization advocate’s bond reduced from $1 million to $40,000

Jan. 29--CULLMAN -- The Director of the Alabama Medical Marijuana Coalition's bond was reduced from $1 million to $40,000 after a motion was granted in court on Monday morning.

Chris Butts, 44, of Cullman was charged with trafficking marijuana and arrested at his residence on County Road 821 on December 28.

His attorney David S. Luker of Birmingham filed a motion with District Judge Kim ChaneyJan. 6 seeking to reduce his client's $1 million dollar bond. The state law sets the bond range for trafficking in marijuana from $5,000 to $1.5 million.

Luker cited in his motion: He has friends and family in the Cullman area who would be willing to post his bond (if lowered), he has no prior felony convictions and only one minor traffic violation, there is no indication Butts was selling marijuana and was charged merely with a "possessory crime," no weapon was used in the alleged crime, there is no information indicating any threats were made against witnesses or victims and Butts "does not pose a threat to the community,: he was employed (prior to his arrest) in graphic design and printing at LTS, Inc. in Morgan County, has been employed his full adult life and has employment awaiting him if he is released from jail, he has never failed to appear in court and there is no indication he will flee or not appear in court as required and there are conditions or a combination of conditions that the court could place on Butts that would insure his appearance in court and insure the public's safety.

Christopher Lee Butts, 44, Sonja Renea Franks, 47, Stephen Dylan Franks, 22, and Amber Brooke Nixon, 22, were all arrested for trafficking illegal drugs and Nixon was also charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance after heroin was found on her person during the December arrest.

Butts is the co-president and board chair of the Alabama Medical Marijuana Coalition, which a state-wide group in favor of the legalization of marijuana.

Cullman County Sheriff Mike Rainey previously told The Times that all four people were living at the residence when a tip came in that required a child welfare check on December 28, 2014. A child was also removed from the residence following the arrest.

CNET agents found over 30 pot plants growing in the storage shed outside the home. Each adult was charged with trafficking illegal drugs. The Department of Human Resources was notified and the 12-year-old boy was removed from the home.

Initially, Butts and Franks were each taken to the Cullman County Detention Center and held on a $1 million bond; Nixon was held on a $1.5 million bond. Stephen Franks has since posted bond.

Butts has since made his $40,000 bond at the Cullman County Detention Center.

Lauren Estes can be reached at laurene@cullmantimes.com or 256-734-2131, ext. 137.

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