PKN Law in the News
- Pittsburgh Magazine
- December 13, 2017
Green Medicine: The Business of Medical Marijuana
For many, medical marijuana is a panacea capable of alleviating a wide range of symptoms. As Pennsylvania begins allowing the drug’s medical use, patients are relieved — and business is booming.
- CBS News
- November 28, 2017
Justices Take Up Free Speech Case Of Anti-Police Rap Lyrics
They call themselves "gangsta rappers," but Jamal Knox and Rashee Beasley may have crossed the line between protected free speech, and terroristic threats and intimidation when they called out two Pittsburgh police officers by name in a rap song.
- Trib Live
- July 17, 2017
Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana law undercuts criminal charges, lawyer argues
The attorney for a Monroeville man told a Westmoreland County judge on Monday that Pennsylvania's new law legalizing medical marijuana prevents his client from facing drug possession charges police filed after finding what they described as a grow operation at his former North Huntingdon home.
- East Side Podcast
- June 8, 2017
Patrick Nightingale-Criminal Defense Lawyer-Executive Director of Pittsburgh NORML
Last Friday afternoon I was on a Skype call with Patrick Nightingale. Patrick K. Nightingale is a former prosecutor and practicing criminal defense attorney since 1996.
- CBS News
- April 4, 2017
Hearing For Jail Protest Suspects Pushed Back Due To Attorney Scheduling Conflicts
Eleven people accused in violent protests outside of the Allegheny County Jail were supposed to go before a Magistrate Judge Tuesday. "There are some very serious allegations, but there are some interesting civil rights here," said attorney David Shrager, who represents James Griffin.
- CBS News
- March 6, 2017
Pa. Auditor General: Legalizing Marijuana Would Create Jobs, Generate Tax Revenue
Next year, medical marijuana will be available for purchase across Pennsylvania. So, is legalizing recreational pot soon to follow? State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale thinks it's time the Commonwealth join other states that have.
- CBS News
- February 25, 2017
Pa. top court reviews free speech case of man’s anti-police rap
Pennsylvania’s highest court is reviewing the conviction of a Pittsburgh man for making threats against police in a rap song after he was charged with drug offenses.
- CBS News
- February 21, 2017
Will Medical Marijuana Open The Door To Legalization, Decriminalization?
Despite the fact that there are now two bills to decriminalize pot in the Legislature, chances of them being approved are also very slim. But Nightingale, a marijuana advocate and lawyer, wants decriminalize marijuana thorough the court system.
- AP News
- January 25, 2017
Top court reviews free speech case of man’s anti-police rap
The Supreme Court on Monday said it would take up an appeal by Jamal Knox, who argues his song, which was briefly posted online, is protected by the right to free speech. Knox wants the court to set aside his convictions for witness intimidation and making terroristic threats.
- Complex
- January 25, 2017
Rapper Who Was Arrested for Anti-Cop Lyrics Argues He’s Protected by Free Speech
In 2014, Pittsburgh rapper Jamal Knox was sentenced to prison for recording and publishing an anti-cop track called “Fuck the Police.” Less than three years after his conviction, the Supreme Court has agreed to take up an appeal by Knox, who argues his work is protected by the First Amendment.
- Next Pittsburgh
- January 17, 2017
Pittsburgh attorney tries novel approach in fight to normalize marijuana
In April 2016 Governor Tom Wolf signed into law Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act, or Act 16, legalizing medical cannabis for PA residents with serious medical conditions. Now, a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney believes the new medical law gives him standing to challenge how Pennsylvania classifies recreational marijuana, which is still illegal in Pennsylvania and is classified as a “Schedule One” controlled substance.
- Youtube
- May 24, 2016
Patrick K. Nightingale Talks Decriminalization In Meadville, PA
Patrick K. Nightingale is Executive Director of Pittsburgh NORML, as well as the Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Society. He addresses everything from medical marijuana to full legalization at a Marijuana Decriminalization rally at beautiful Diamond Park in Meadville, PA.
- The Weed Blog
- September 3, 2015
Scientific And Legal Considerations In The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Debate
With three separate bills that propose the legalization of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania currently pending in the state legislature, an interdisciplinary group of experts will present on and discuss the various aspects of the medical marijuana debate at the next Forensic Fridays session at Duquesne University.
- The Pitt News
- April 19, 2015
Which weed is which: Experts compare pot strains
Antoine Douaihy, a professor of psychiatry at Pitt, said while sativa and indica are two distinct subspecies of cannabis, the different chemicals within the plant produce varying effects for users.
- Cranberry Eagle
- October 29, 2014
Judge hears defense requests in attempted homicide case
After being accused of shooting a man at a busy city intersection, Hassan “Money” Lamar Brack left Butler and was arrested in Philadelphia. And while in the Butler County Prison, the defendant allegedly made an intimidating phone call to the man he shot.
