Alfred Robinson took a plea deal Monday opting not to go to trial.

A judge made it impossible for the defense to use medical marijuana as a defense.

Robinson’s attorney, Michael Minardi, said that without that argument his client did not stand a chance at trial. Facing a felony charge or cultivating marijuana and possible jail time, Robinson instead pleaded “no contest” in exchange for three years’ probation.

The judge also ordered random drug testing for Robinson and he said it’s a crippling decision.

"Death.  That's what you've sentenced me to.  My choice is to suffer without using medical marijuana.  Or to take pain pills that are killing people,” said Robinson.

He will be allowed to apply for early termination of his probation after 18 months.

The judge also said he would re-consider if medical marijuana is legalized in Florida before then.

Robinson found a lot of support outside the courtroom.  It is a movement that is growing in Florida.

A 68-year old man who refused to give his name because he has used medical marijuana held a clipboard with a petition outside the courtroom.

"I tried it. I had never tried it before in my whole life. I had always worked for companies that drug tested,” he said.

A trip to see family in California changed that. Family members suggested he see a doctor about medical marijuana to treat his hand tremor and blood sugar. He said it immediately helped his symptoms.

"While I was out there I noticed my blood sugar was way down from where it usually was,” he said.

The problem, he lives in Florida where; it is illegal to use the drug.

"It's illegal to possess it. And if you're smoking it, you're possessing it,” said Jason Sammis, a Tampa lawyer who advocates legalizing marijuana. "What are your options? You can't bring the medical marijuana that you have from California into Florida because it's illegal to possess. You can't get it unless you go through illegal means to get it. And so you're left to go to these very dangerous and sometimes ineffective methods of treatment."

That is why the man is standing outside the courtroom where Robinson took his plea deal.  He is hoping this will be a springboard to help get the word out about legalizing medicinal marijuana in Florida.

"A lot of people while we're trying to get this petition signed are coming up to us telling us they use it and their family members use it and grandma's got cancer and she's using it for pain and it's just you get a lot more thank you’s then no, I don't want to sign."