BUSINESSMAN SAYS MARIJUANA GREW IN HOME FERGUSON PLEADS GUILTY

Prominent Leesburg businessman Mouncey Ferguson pleaded guilty Thursday in
Loudoun County Circuit Court to growing marijuana in his home, saying he
used the drug for many years as treatment for a bipolar disorder.

"The use of marijuana over the past 20 years was something I felt was
medically necessary," Ferguson, 55, said in court. "I don't know how else I
could have . . . survived."

He said he has suffered from the disorder, also known as manic depression,
for more than 30 years.

Ferguson, whose advertising agency has handled promotion of many Leesburg
town events, was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

Prosecutors said sheriff's deputies who searched Ferguson's Taylorstown
home last year turned up slightly more than seven pounds of marijuana.
Deputies said marijuana plants and packaged marijuana were found.

On Thursday, Ferguson entered an Alford plea to manufacturing marijuana.
Although technically it does not carry an admission of guilt, an Alford
plea acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to win a conviction.

"I am acknowledging that I am guilty of growing marijuana," Ferguson said.
"There was a medical reason associated with that. I understand that a jury
may not agree with that medical reason."

Prosecutors dropped a second charge in the case, possession of the drug
with intent to distribute. "The plea agreement is directly in line with
other drug cases this office has handled," Assistant Commonwealth's
Attorney John Brigham said. "This is fair to both the defendant and the
citizens."

Circuit Court Judge James H. Chamblin sentenced Ferguson to a 10year
suspended prison term and said Ferguson can help decide what type of
community service he will perform. State sentencing guidelines in such
cases do not call for jail time.

"I think you've offered an explanation to why you did what you did,"
Chamblin said. "You also realize it's not lawful."

Ferguson was charged in October 1996 after investigators followed up on a
tip from a confidential informant.

The Mouncey Ferguson & Associates advertising agency, which moved to
Leesburg in 1986, handles some of the town's advertising for tourism and
events. It created the "Real History, Real Close" campaign for Leesburg to
counter Walt Disney Co.'s nowdefunct plans to open a theme park near
Haymarket.

He helped form the Loudoun Vocational Educational Foundation in 1989 and
later served as a foundation trustee. He also has worked with park and
recreation committees and efforts to revitalize downtown Leesburg.