Illinois man with stage 4 cancer sentenced for ordering THC chocolates
MONTGOMERY, Ill (FOX32) - An Illinois cancer patient has been sentenced to prison for ordering 42 pounds of THC-infused chocolates that he claims he purchased to self-medicate.
Thomas Franzen, 37, pleaded guilty to possession of more than 5,000 grams of cannabis in exchange for a 4-year prison sentence, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office said.
Prosecutors said in a news release on Thursday that Franzen "sought to sell" the chocolate, but Franzen's defense attorney said he was using them to relieve himself from stage 4 cancer symptoms, like nausea.
Attorney David Camic said prosecutors showed “compassion” in dismissing the more serious charge of cannabis trafficking after authorities intercepted the chocolates in 2014.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is "the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives the high sensation," according to Healthline. In addition to cigarette form, THC also comes in "oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules."