A marijuana advocate is jailed for having drugs he’s spent years defending.

Based on arrest records from Douglas, Sarpy, Lancaster, and Pottawattamie counties. Record of an arrest is not an indication of guilt.

A Saunders County district court judge sentenced Dana Beal to 4-6 years in prison.

The 65-year-old was caught with more than a 100 pounds of pot in 2009. Beal’s supporters called him a visionary in court, saying he was helping those suffering.

For decades, Beal has worked to get marijuana to those who say they need it for medical purposes, smuggling it across the country. He even pleaded to policymakers to make it legal.

“Dana did what Dana did to help people who were suffering,” said friend Marie Cotter.

Ashland police found nearly 160 pounds of pot when they stopped a van Beal and two other men were driving in September 2009.

“He went out to California to get marijuana so he could bring it to his patients. And he took that risk many times. It is true, but to call him a drug dealer is really insulting, and it just isn’t true,” said friend Ed Rosenthahl.

Friends from across the country, even one from New Zealand, appeared at Beal’s sentencing on Monday. They said they wanted to tell the judge the whole story behind his crime — about a guy who makes no profit from providing the marijuana, a guy who has helped thousands with painful, crippling diseases.

“Personally, I’ve used cannabis to halt HIV disease progression,” said friend Michael Brinkley.

Attorney Scott Tinglehoff said Beal has a lengthy history of possession of drugs and not just pot.

“The guy is just a street dealer, (that) is what he is, and when he gets caught, he says it’s medical,” Tinglehoff said.

Based on arrest records from Douglas, Sarpy, Lancaster, and Pottawattamie counties. Record of an arrest is not an indication of guilt.

With time served in Wisconsin for a similar offense, Beal could be eligible for parole in a year.

Source: KETV local station.