Robert Celt
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Maureen Suggitt travels nearly 120 miles from Sault Ste. Marie to obtain her medical marijuana and Sunday she traveled that same distance to protest a recent sting that has blocked her from purchasing her medicine.
Suggitt joined a group of more than 100 in Gaylord Sunday for a march that began around 3 p.m. to protest raids of every medical marijuana dispensary in Otsego County by numerous law enforcement agencies Thursday.
With the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act in place, Suggitt said she was confused as to why the raids were warranted.
"It's horrible," she said, as she marched with the throng from the Pavilion on Court, to the Michigan State Police Gaylord post and to other locations around Gaylord. "All across the state, the people are saying one thing and law enforcement do another."
Searches were completed at all eight dispensaries in Gaylord and one in Vanderbilt. A Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement (SANE) press release indicated caregivers at the different dispensaries were believed to be selling medical marijuana to people who were not their registered patients under Michigan medical marijuana law.
Law enforcement personnel seized more than 150 jars and numerous bags of marijuana, reports indicate, as well as countless edibles in the form of chocolates, cookies, fudge and others. Marijuana infused drinks, waxes, extracts and oils were also confiscated as well.
In addition, 143 marijuana plants were found and seized, as well as prescription opiates, prescription drugs, more than $17,000 in cash and two vehicles. Officers also found a lab for manufacturing THC oil and three marijuana grow operations.
Some, including Ben Horner with the Cannabis Stakeholders Group, said the raids were in violation of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. Michael Rola, Otsego County Prosecutor disagreed.
Rola previously said if dispensary owners or caregivers are found using, selling, distributing, maintaining or storing a controlled substance, it is in violation of the law. Caregivers and dispensary owners found with more marijuana than what is allowed, selling to unregistered patients or selling to more patients than what is allowed are also in violation of the law.
By listening to the chants and looking at the dozens of signs held by the protesters, it appeared the group disagreed with the viewpoint of Rola and law enforcement.
"I'm here to get SANE to leave us alone and for our patients to have their medicine," said Donald Lykins, owner of D & L's Medicinal Exchange, located at 1523 S. Otsego Ave. "It's their right. We're here for the patients.
"I was there when it happened and they took everything, even my vehicle. I have three kids with no vehicle, no nothing."
While the group consisted mostly of medical marijuana patients, caregivers and activists, others joined as they saw the raids as an irresponsible use of public funds.
"I don't even smoke the stuff," said William Carver of Onaway. "I'm just tired of them wasting taxpayer money to raid these people."
As of Friday, two arrests had been made, including a 45-year-old arrested on charges relating to the illegal distribution, possession and manufacturing of marijuana and THC products, and possession of prescription drugs. A 36-year-old was arrested on charges related to the illegal distribution and possession of marijuana and THC products, according to the press release.
At least 10 people are expected to be arrested as a result of the raids, said Detective Lt. Ken Mills, SANE unit commander.
This was the second series of raids by SANE and other law enforcement personnel of Otsego County medical marijuana dispensaries in less than a year's time, as eight dispensaries were searched May 27 and several items were confiscated including marijuana, cash, vehicles and other items. Several individuals were arrested and charged as a result.
In hopes of preventing more raids after the actions last May, Chad Morrow, owner of Cloud 45, and others worked on an initiative that led to the city adopting a zoning ordinance amendment, which added medical marijuana provisioning centers as an approved use in areas deemed C-1 and C-2 Commercial District by the city zoning ordinance.
After the passing of the ordinance and support from the city on the ordinance, Morrow said it was a shock to see these raids occur.
"It's extremely upsetting," Morrow said. "The city supports us, the people are behind us, what else do you want?"
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: More Than 100 Protest Otsego County Medical Marijuana Raids
Author: Mark Johnson
Photo Credit: Mark Johnson
Website: Gaylord Herald Times
Suggitt joined a group of more than 100 in Gaylord Sunday for a march that began around 3 p.m. to protest raids of every medical marijuana dispensary in Otsego County by numerous law enforcement agencies Thursday.
With the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act in place, Suggitt said she was confused as to why the raids were warranted.
"It's horrible," she said, as she marched with the throng from the Pavilion on Court, to the Michigan State Police Gaylord post and to other locations around Gaylord. "All across the state, the people are saying one thing and law enforcement do another."
Searches were completed at all eight dispensaries in Gaylord and one in Vanderbilt. A Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement (SANE) press release indicated caregivers at the different dispensaries were believed to be selling medical marijuana to people who were not their registered patients under Michigan medical marijuana law.
Law enforcement personnel seized more than 150 jars and numerous bags of marijuana, reports indicate, as well as countless edibles in the form of chocolates, cookies, fudge and others. Marijuana infused drinks, waxes, extracts and oils were also confiscated as well.
In addition, 143 marijuana plants were found and seized, as well as prescription opiates, prescription drugs, more than $17,000 in cash and two vehicles. Officers also found a lab for manufacturing THC oil and three marijuana grow operations.
Some, including Ben Horner with the Cannabis Stakeholders Group, said the raids were in violation of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. Michael Rola, Otsego County Prosecutor disagreed.
Rola previously said if dispensary owners or caregivers are found using, selling, distributing, maintaining or storing a controlled substance, it is in violation of the law. Caregivers and dispensary owners found with more marijuana than what is allowed, selling to unregistered patients or selling to more patients than what is allowed are also in violation of the law.
By listening to the chants and looking at the dozens of signs held by the protesters, it appeared the group disagreed with the viewpoint of Rola and law enforcement.
"I'm here to get SANE to leave us alone and for our patients to have their medicine," said Donald Lykins, owner of D & L's Medicinal Exchange, located at 1523 S. Otsego Ave. "It's their right. We're here for the patients.
"I was there when it happened and they took everything, even my vehicle. I have three kids with no vehicle, no nothing."
While the group consisted mostly of medical marijuana patients, caregivers and activists, others joined as they saw the raids as an irresponsible use of public funds.
"I don't even smoke the stuff," said William Carver of Onaway. "I'm just tired of them wasting taxpayer money to raid these people."
As of Friday, two arrests had been made, including a 45-year-old arrested on charges relating to the illegal distribution, possession and manufacturing of marijuana and THC products, and possession of prescription drugs. A 36-year-old was arrested on charges related to the illegal distribution and possession of marijuana and THC products, according to the press release.
At least 10 people are expected to be arrested as a result of the raids, said Detective Lt. Ken Mills, SANE unit commander.
This was the second series of raids by SANE and other law enforcement personnel of Otsego County medical marijuana dispensaries in less than a year's time, as eight dispensaries were searched May 27 and several items were confiscated including marijuana, cash, vehicles and other items. Several individuals were arrested and charged as a result.
In hopes of preventing more raids after the actions last May, Chad Morrow, owner of Cloud 45, and others worked on an initiative that led to the city adopting a zoning ordinance amendment, which added medical marijuana provisioning centers as an approved use in areas deemed C-1 and C-2 Commercial District by the city zoning ordinance.
After the passing of the ordinance and support from the city on the ordinance, Morrow said it was a shock to see these raids occur.
"It's extremely upsetting," Morrow said. "The city supports us, the people are behind us, what else do you want?"
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: More Than 100 Protest Otsego County Medical Marijuana Raids
Author: Mark Johnson
Photo Credit: Mark Johnson
Website: Gaylord Herald Times
