Charges dropped against Tacoma medical pot dispensary
KITSAP SUN TACOMA – Pierce County prosecutors this week dropped drug charges against an Olalla man who is the co-owner of a Tacoma medical marijuana dispensary that was raided by a local drug task force last year.
Guy L. Casey and Michael J. Schaef, the proprietors of Club 420 cooperative on Oregon Avenue in Tacoma, had been charged with drug violations following a May raid by the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team on three locations, including the dispensary and Casey's home on Olympic Avenue in Olalla.
The enforcement team believed the dispensary was growing more plants than authorized under the state medical marijuana law and that they were selling the drug for a profit to nonauthorized patients.
Both men were charged with multiple felony counts, including unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
The case was built on the testimony of a confidential informant, according to John Sheeran, chief of the drugs and vice unit in the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office. But prosecutors began to "question his veracity" and didn't feel they could successfully go forward with the case.
"I'm just happy that the truth finally prevailed," said Christine Casey of Olalla, Guy Casey's former wife and longtime friend. "He did nothing wrong."
Christine Casey said the raid and subsequent legal fight have ruined her and Guy financially. She said Guy is living in one of the dispensaries because they couldn't keep their Olalla home.
The dispensary, however, is growing. Christine Casey said they just opened a second location in Tacoma.
Read more: Charges dropped against Tacoma medical pot dispensary | - NEWS UPDATES - The News Tribune
KITSAP SUN TACOMA – Pierce County prosecutors this week dropped drug charges against an Olalla man who is the co-owner of a Tacoma medical marijuana dispensary that was raided by a local drug task force last year.
Guy L. Casey and Michael J. Schaef, the proprietors of Club 420 cooperative on Oregon Avenue in Tacoma, had been charged with drug violations following a May raid by the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team on three locations, including the dispensary and Casey's home on Olympic Avenue in Olalla.
The enforcement team believed the dispensary was growing more plants than authorized under the state medical marijuana law and that they were selling the drug for a profit to nonauthorized patients.
Both men were charged with multiple felony counts, including unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
The case was built on the testimony of a confidential informant, according to John Sheeran, chief of the drugs and vice unit in the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office. But prosecutors began to "question his veracity" and didn't feel they could successfully go forward with the case.
"I'm just happy that the truth finally prevailed," said Christine Casey of Olalla, Guy Casey's former wife and longtime friend. "He did nothing wrong."
Christine Casey said the raid and subsequent legal fight have ruined her and Guy financially. She said Guy is living in one of the dispensaries because they couldn't keep their Olalla home.
The dispensary, however, is growing. Christine Casey said they just opened a second location in Tacoma.
Read more: Charges dropped against Tacoma medical pot dispensary | - NEWS UPDATES - The News Tribune
