Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The High Court is allowing a defendant facing drug charges to return to Honolulu and not be sentenced for three years. 

Iosefa Su’a was charged in February of this year for possession of controlled substances, believed to be liquid marijuana and marijuana pill capsules. He was also charged with possession with intent to distribute. 

Su’a appeared in High court on Friday morning, October 13, 2023 and pled guilty to one count of possession of marijuana, in a plea deal with the government. 

The court accepted the agreement and deferred Su’a’s sentencing for three years, on the condition that he remain a law-abiding citizen and check in with his attorney Talalelei Uiagalalei on a regular basis. 

The defendant, who is a resident of Hawaii, is now legally allowed to depart the territory.

In addition, Su’a was ordered to attend and complete drug counseling at his expense and is required to provide proof of his completion of the course to his attorney. 

The court scheduled a status hearing for April next year to review the defendant’s progress. 

Su’a‘s case was heard by Associate Justice Elvis Patea and Associate Judges Suapaia Pereira and Paepae Iosefa Faiai.

BACKGROUND

According to lighthouserecoveryinstitute.com, liquid marijuana can contain up to 90% of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, while the marijuana pill capsule contains either liquid marijuana concentrate or the ground flowers (buds) from the plant.

Both these forms of marijuana are much stronger than the regular marijuana buds usually sold as a ‘green leafy substance’ which normally measures around 20% THC levels,