Opinion ID: 723421
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dry Weight vs. Number of Plants

Text: 23 Dean contends that the district court erred in relying on defense counsel's agreement with the prosecutor that Dean's base offense level should be determined on the basis of the number of plants involved in the conspiracy rather than the weight of the harvested marijuana. Dean argues that because his role in the conspiracy was not to grow the marijuana plants but only to buy previously harvested marijuana, Dean's base offense level should be determined according to the weight of the harvested marijuana he actually bought, rather than based on the number of plants grown by his co-conspirators. Dean's argument is without merit. 24 As discussed above, pursuant to sections 1B1.3(a)(1)(A) and (B) of the Guidelines, Dean's sentence was properly calculated on the basis of the total number of marijuana plants that were grown or harvested by Dean's co-conspirators during the time that Dean was a member of the conspiracy. Base offense levels in drug cases are determined according to the quantity of drugs involved according to the drug quantity table in the Guidelines, § 2D1.1(c). The equivalency provision following the table provides: 25 In the case of an offense involving marijuana plants, if the offense involved (A) 50 or more marijuana plants, treat each plant as equivalent to 1KG of marijuana; (B) fewer than 50 marijuana plants, treat each plant as equivalent to 100 G of marijuana. Provided, however, that if the actual weight of the marijuana is greater, use the actual weight of the marijuana. 26 Sentencing Guidelines § 2D1.1(c) n. 8. 27 The offense at issue in this case, and Dean's relevant conduct in connection with it according to § 1B1.3(a)(1)(A) and (B), involved marijuana plants. As such, the equivalency provision was properly invoked. The count to which Dean pleaded guilty explicitly refers to marijuana plants and Dean admits in his plea agreement that he manufactured, assisted in the manufacturer, or aided and abetted in the manufacture of 950 Marijuana Plants. The conclusion that Dean's sentence should be calculated based on the number of plants involved in the case rather than on the dry weight of the harvested marijuana bought by Dean conforms to the plain language of the Guidelines. See United States v. Wegner, 46 F.3d 924 (9th Cir.1995). 28 Dean's sentence was properly calculated, and Dean's counsel's failure to raise the objections noted by Dean did not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. 4 29 AFFIRMED.