Opinion ID: 1860900
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Identification of the contraband.

Text: The state introduced scientific and non-scientific evidence to identify the material seized at the Rosasco arrest. M.B.C.A. chemist, Anne Rummel, M.B.C.A. agent Sickler, and witness Rosasco testified to initial, gross, visual identification of the substance. Sickler stated that he observed M.B.C.A. agent Paul Gerber perform a Valtox field identification at the time the material was seized, with positive results. Rummel then testified that three separate laboratory tests  microscopic identification, Duquenois-Levine, and thin layer chromatography  were performed upon each of the eight random samples, with consistently positive findings. The defendant sought to undermine the probative impact of this evidence, pointing out the limited qualifications of the laymen to make visual identifications, and that Rummel did not have sufficient botanical training to make a conclusive microscopic identification. Moreover, reagents used in the Duquenois-Levine test were not tested to assure identity or purity; there was no notation regarding the atmosphere saturation in the thin layer chromatography test tank, nor were the plate or a vapor sample preserved. Finally, the failure to purify the samples prior to testing left the possibility that combinations of naturally-occurring substances had contaminated the samples and given misleading results. The trial judge properly admitted the evidence and considered defendant's objections in determining its weight. He concluded that this evidence, alone, was insufficient to identify the substance beyond a reasonable doubt: The defendants in this case have submitted testimony and persuasive arguments to the effect that the combination of screening tests in this particular case, and the combination of screening tests in general, does not afford the kind of identification that is needed in the criminal law and does not amount to a proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the substance is declared to be the controlled substance. I have listened to this testimony for more than a half a day. I have reviewed some of the literature and the law on the subject, and I am persuaded, that at least in a case where there is possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell, that the identification procedures are probably inadequate. (Emphasis in original). Whether this court would draw the same conclusion from the evidence is not relevant; our role as a reviewing court is limited. The trial before Judge Olson was held following defendant's written and informed waiver of his right to a jury. Under those circumstances, the judge's findings of fact are entitled to the same weight on review as a jury verdict. State v. Mytych, 292 Minn. 248, 252, 194 N.W.2d 276, 279 (1972); State v. Crosby, 277 Minn. 22, 24, 151 N.W.2d 297, 299 (1967). Such findings will not be set aside unless clearly erroneous. State v. Knox, Minn., 250 N.W.2d 147, 154 (1976). These findings of fact are therefore upheld. The trial court went on to consider inferences identifying the substance from nonscientific evidence. Four additional facts were considered: 1. The amount of the sale amounting to 220 pounds. 2. The sale price amounting to $120 per pound. 3. The statement of the Defendant Vail quoted by the State's witness Mr. Rosasco identifying the product as not only marijuana, but identifying the product as `Mexican grade' marijuana. 4. The inferred fact, which this Court makes, that a seller of a product containing 220 pounds is probably sophisticated and competent and alert enough to have made his own tests before he himself bought the product for presumably a considerable sum of money from his supplier. Whether that task was simply smoking the product in order to test the substance or whether the product was otherwise analyzed is, of course, unknown to the Court. We have not prescribed minimum evidentiary requirements in identification cases, preferring to examine the sufficiency of the evidence on a case-by-case basis. See, e. g., State v. Dick, Minn., 253 N.W.2d 277 (1977); State v. Boyum, 293 Minn. 482, 197 N.W.2d 218 (1972). In this case, we do not believe that the additional considerations relied upon by the trial court are sufficient to support its determination of guilt. Minnesota law requires proof of the actual identity of the substance, the defendant's belief is not sufficient. State v. Dick, Minn., 253 N.W.2d 277, 279 (1977). The price charged and representations made by the defendant are, at best, only assertions of his belief. At trial, the state expressly abandoned its attempt to infer identity from quantity; we find no necessary relationship. Finally, the last fact listed, a commercial practice of testing among large-volume sellers, is wholly speculative and unsupported by the evidence. Rosasco and Sickler both testified that no part of the material in issue was ever burned or smoked. [11] On the facts of this case, we conclude that the additional factors simply do not advance the state in satisfying its burden of proof, given the trial court's skepticism of the scientific evidence. Because the trial court found that the scientific evidence was inadequate to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the substance was Cannabis sativa L., and because four additional factors were impermissibly used to sustain the state's burden of proof, we have found, in effect, that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the verdict. The double jeopardy clause bars a new trial. Burks v. United States, 437 U.S. 1, 98 S.Ct. 2141, 57 L.Ed.2d 1 (1978). The second issue raised by the defendant is the equal protection challenge to the statutory classification of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance. Defendant acknowledges that the equal protection standard applicable in reviewing the Minnesota marijuana laws requires a demonstration that the classification is reasonable, not arbitrary, and bears a rational relationship to a permissible state objective. Village of Belle Terre v. Boraas, 416 U.S. 1, 94 S.Ct. 1536, 39 L.Ed.2d 797 (1974). Defendant argued and presented evidence at the hearing of his motion to dismiss and on appeal that the inclusion of marijuana within Schedule I controlled substances was both over-inclusive, since it satisfies none of the statutory criteria, [12] and under-inclusive, since alcohol and nicotine are not so classified although they in fact satisfy the statutory criteria. Minnesota's classification scheme is based on the 1970 Uniform Controlled Substances Act, which listed marijuana in Schedule I because little was known about its longterm effects. Congress listed marihuana in Schedule I principally on the recommendation of HEW, which urged `that marijuana be retained within Schedule I at least until the completion of certain studies now underway to' determine the physical and psychological dependency effects of the drug. See H.R. Report, supra, note 3, at 4579, 4629-30. Apparently the potential for abuse and the absence of significant medical value were the determining grounds for placement of marihuana in the first schedule. See 116 Cong.Rec. 797 (daily ed. Jan. 28, 1970) (remarks of Sen. Hruska). United States v. Kiffer, 477 F.2d 349, 356 (2 Cir. 1973), certiorari denied sub nom., Harmash v. United States, 414 U.S. 831, 94 S.Ct. 165, 38 L.Ed.2d 65 (1973). The intervening years have produced a growing body of scientific literature on the effects of marijuana on the human physiology and psychology, [13] but marijuana has not been rescheduled by either the state legislature or the state board of pharmacy, acting under its statutory authority. Minn.St. 152.02, subd. 8. In response to growing public and scientific opinion against imposing Schedule I penalties on marijuana users, the legislature has repeatedly amended Minn.St. 152.15 to reduce penalties. L.1971, c. 937, § 17; L.1973, c. 693, §§ 10-13; L.1976, c. 42, §§ 1, 2. It is apparent, then, that nominal inclusion of marijuana within Schedule I has little impact, since the classification is not a controlling factor in the scheme of punishment. See, People v. Morehouse, 80 Misc.2d 406, 364 N.Y.S.2d 108 (Sup.Ct.1975); United States v. Maiden, 355 F.Supp. 743 (D.Conn.1973). Thus, neither People v. McCabe, 49 Ill.2d 338, 275 N.E.2d 407 (1971), nor People v. Sinclair, 387 Mich. 91, 194 N.W.2d 878 (1972), which sustained equal protection challenges to classification of marijuana as a narcotic drug for purposes of penalties, are in point. [14] In view of the continued debate over possible short- and long-term physical and psychological effects, it cannot fairly be said that continued apprehension and reluctance of the state board of pharmacy to reschedule marijuana is so arbitrary and unreasonable as to render it unconstitutional. [15] Similarly, the fact that Schedule I does not include all substances which arguably meet the statutory criteria is not constitutionally fatal. The legislature is not compelled to attempt to regulate all harmful substances merely because it attempts to regulate some. United States v. Kiffer, supra . See, also, McDonald v. Board of Election Commissioners, 394 U.S. 802, 809-811, 89 S.Ct. 1404, 22 L.Ed.2d 739 (1969); Williamson v. Lee Optical, Inc., 348 U.S. 483, 489, 75 S.Ct. 461, 99 L.Ed. 563 (1955). Reversed and judgment of acquittal ordered.