Prosecutors seek forfeiture of more than $110,000 from Ann Arbor medical marijuana clinic
Washtenaw County prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of more than $110,000 from an Ann Arbor medical marijuana clinic that was raided in August, alleging the business profited from illegal marijuana sales.
In a recent court filing, prosecutors say MedMar clinic at 1818 Packard Street sold marijuana to an undercover officer who had an expired medical marijuana card and the clinic's owner kept marijuana at his home that wasn't locked up.
MedMar marijuana clinic president Chuck Ream holds a sign protesting the raid of the business in August.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
On Aug. 25, investigators executed search warrants at MedMar and A2 Go Green Corp, a dispensary at 206 South Main St., after the businesses allegedly didn't follow guidelines established for operating dispensaries.
James Earl Chaney, 37, of Ann Arbor, who operated A2 Go Green Corp, was charged last month with possessing methamphetamine/ecstasy and delivery of marijuana, said Det. 1st Lt. Wynonia Sturdivant, who supervises the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team. He has not been arraigned in court and Sturdivant said she did not have details.
Last week, County Assistant Prosecutor Mark Kneisel filed a complaint for forfeiture against MedMar, owner David Ghezzi and employees Branden Ghezzi and Jordan Ghezzi. It alleges that an undercover officer with no assigned caregiver bought marijuana with an expired medical marijuana card and that David Ghezzi kept marijuana at his Ann Arbor home that was not in an enclosed, locked facility.
In addition to searching the business and David Ghezzi's home, investigators have executed search warrants on two bank accounts in Ann Arbor and one in Illinois. The total amount seized is more than $114,000.
Chuck Ream, president of MedMar, is disputing the recent allegations. He said employees always check to make sure patients have valid paperwork.
“The idea that someone could come in and buy from our dispensary without a valid card seems to us absolutely absurd,” he said. “We have at least two people check the date on every card.”
He said MedMar is currently open for business.
Comments
A2Woman
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.
How many lives were ruined by drugs for this??? David Ghezzi's home in Orland Park, IL, currently for sale: <a href="http://www.estately.com/listings/info/109-singletree-circle" rel='nofollow'>http://www.estately.com/listings/info/109-singletree-circle</a>
A2Woman
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
David Ghezzi, his son Branden, and his nephew Jordan, all moved from ChicagoLand in Aug. 2010, to provide "compassionate care" to those of us here in A2. This is just an example of an illegal dispensary, and its shameless profiteers who have spoiled the noble intent of providing relief to desperately ill patients.
mhirzel
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 6:03 p.m.
How many were ruined by Merck's Vioxx?????
kochmann
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.
Now we know why they were raided. FOR THE MONEY THE Amerikan Drugwar is legalized corruption many people have expired cards and paper work to go with it showing renewal applications. LARA, the agency now in charge of issuing cards is 6 months behind and that is in and of itself criminal behavior. They take our money and give us nothing. When government lies and ensconces that lie within the power of the Gun via the Law then that government must be overthrown and that right soon. At the ballot box or in the street. Their choice
racerx
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 5:03 p.m.
Legal shakedown. What's a "cop" doing with an expired medical marijuana card? Sounds like entrapment.
Regularjoey
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 4:16 p.m.
As far as the guy found with meth/ecstasy he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If he was selling it he should do jail time for pushing human, societal and civic poison. If he was just using let's hope he gets the help he needs. Nothing is more damaging to the pro-marijuana people than this untypical mix. As far as Mackie and his decision to stoop low into the smelly biz of forfeitures of bank accounts and personal property relating to marijuana cases- I believe we the people of Washtenaw Co. should make it clear come election time that we do not approve of legalized breaking and entering and taking of peoples businesses, homes or bank accounts here where we have a more mature attitude toward marijuana and personal liberties than some other counties. I've long supported Mr. Mackie with my vote, but given an alternative he's gotten the last vote of mine he will ever get. This forfeiture business is totally immoral and only used as a money grab by greedy politicians willing to stoop to unspeakable lows to re-fund there operations on the backs of the "guilty until proven innocent" It's a policy we as Americans should be ashamed of.
Roadman
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 10:01 p.m.
"I've long supported Mr.Mackie with my vote, but given an alternative he's gotten the last vote of mine he will ever get." Bravo, bravo. Bradyhokebeliever!
Louhi
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
Medical marijuana is a prescribed drug. Therefore it must be regulated like all other CS ( controlled substance) drugs. Utilizing the government regulated standards realting to the perscriber/pharmacy is not an unfounded idea. The current law is ambiguous leading to abuse and illegitmatizing patients that truly need medical marijuana. Medical marijuana should be produced by managed, inspected facilities, with consistent testing just like all other medications. Again, the lack of definite control over a medication has lead to questionable practices by some perscribers, caregivers, and dispensaries, as well as questionable actions by law enforcement. All this does is create a stigma and lack of availability for those who are suffering and truly in need of the medication.
kochmann
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 11:29 p.m.
Cannabis is not a drug and does not belong within the purview of the CSA at all. Were it to be kept on the schedule it would be a level 3 which requires no prescription. Marinol is schedule 2 and can kill you and it is not cannabis. Marinol is a synthetic copy of the THC molecule and it is derived from Terpene Olivetal and Silicon. It is poison. CANNABIS CURES PRESCRIPTIONS KILL NO MORE FDA NO MORE DEA NO MORE NIDA NO MORE LIES
Ron Granger
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
Once while waiting for my appointment in my Doctor's waiting room, I had to share the space with a couple of well dressed big-pharma sales reps. They were discussing which doctors were prescribing specific drugs and hitting target goals, and who they needed to work on. It was all push, push, push, sell, sell, sell, sell... PILLS. It was disgusting. It is the closest I've ever been to actually seeing a stereotypical drug pusher. You can bet those big-pharma corporations are putting a lot of pressure to get these people back on their high profit addictive drugs through enforcement action and harassment.
clownfish
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 12:54 p.m.
Drug cartels should be sending Mackie a campaign contribution.
Goober
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:16 a.m.
Where, oh where has my doobie gone. Oh where, oh where can he be?
James
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 5:37 a.m.
Watched my Father languish in the throngs of prostate cancer.Not looking for sympathy.Hospitalized,terribly lethargic and despondant.Docs sent him home to the good people of home hospice and his family.Could not keep food or water down,let alone use the toilet with dignity.We thought "This is it..." Then along came marijuana via a 'vaporizer'-no smoke or odor.It was like a huge breath of life was blown into him.He ate,he communicated,he played 9 holes of golf,he strapped on a 20 lb. leaf blower and cleared 3 acres,he went out to restaurants,he bathed privately and dressed himself....pot gave my father almost another year of life.I believe in medicinal marijuana.
RJA
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:26 a.m.
Go for it Prosecutors, make my day!
Roadman
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 2:18 a.m.
It is ironic the first criminal prosecution that Attorney General Bill Schuette's newly-minted Public Integrity Division initiated against public corruption was of two senior Michigan State Police trooper personnel who administered drug forfeiture properties seized from citizens. Also there were many allegations that the Detroit police were wrongfully initiationg seizures of citizens vehicles during prostitutiion stings. A civil rights lawsuit was filed against the City of Detroit. Many of the seizures did not even involve criminal charges, just the forfeiture of vehicles. The forfeiture business is a government racket. The State of Michigan realizes over $11 million per year in drug forfeiture cases.
Roadman
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:04 a.m.
I certainly can with respect to the dubious Detroit P.D. prostitution stings.
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 2:42 a.m.
Can't say they aren't prosecuting their own or covering up for them, now can you?
snapshot
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 2:17 a.m.
Where's that rapist investigation at? Will that 110,000 be used for health care co pays?
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:59 a.m.
If you knew your facts then you'd know, if the money gets forfeited, federal law states it will go back to drug enforcement related programs including education.
mhirzel
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:47 a.m.
Snacks for entrapment agents.
snapshot
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:21 a.m.
I'm just following the money, and they say blue and green don't go together.
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 2:41 a.m.
The broken record theme that seems to continually resonate every time it comes to something that is found to be disagreeable with is getting old. Yea, we all get it. Rapist hasn't been caught. You feel instead of investigating other criminal acts, every law enforcement officer everywhere should be solely focused on this rapist case. So just for clarification, should that be applicable to every cop in washtenaw county only or every cop in southeast Michigan or the whole state? Just curious.
snapshot
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 1:44 a.m.
Less than 1% of prosecuteral misconduct is preosecuted. 1 in 10 cops are either charged or convicted of various crimes. Police officers and officers of the court are given the "courtesy" of an intensive investigation prior to being charged whereas civilians are "charged" immediately by "throwing the book" at them. Only 50% of police officers charged with a crime get convicted vs. 70% of civilians. Then when convicted, police officers get lighter sentences, average 39 months vs. 49 months for "civilians". Recently we have 7 "police" officials in Romulus "charged" with drug related crimes. Who's conviscating their possesions and bank accounts? No one. The "boys in blue" protect each other. They go after the folks who can't defend themselves and don't "belong to the club". These are enforcement tactics encouraged by politicians who are being influenced by pharmeceutical lobbyists who contribute to their campaigns. The officers get promoted for these accumilated "easy" busts. Everybody in "the system" gets fat and happy while performing NO actual public service to the citizens, only to themselves.
snapshot
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 4:08 a.m.
Nep....so because there's "corruption" in other sapects of government, it makes it OK in the police dept. which swears an "oath" to "uphold" the law and protect people. Tell me, how many "incidents" go unreported or undisclosed? And I'm all ears for you to provide me with the "unpolished and truthful" version you perport to have access to. I'm listening but so far I'm not hearing anything but rationalizations and excuses. I'd like to hear authorities say "we're going to clean up this mess" instead they continue to protect and make statements that infer innocence. They wouldn't give a civilian that kind of courtesy, would they?
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:56 a.m.
Yes you do. The small bit of information that was released to the public by the trained and seasoned fact collectors. Of course there is no other corruption in any other professions it's only worth blogging about when it deals with police and precious weed.
snapshot
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 2:54 a.m.
Nephilim, I have my facts straight "friend", A former chief of police, his wife and five detectives charges with using confiscated drug money for prostitutes, marijuana, and alcohol. You must be a union leader who specializes in skewing the facts with B.S. That doesn't fly in my book. If you feel differently then feel free to provide me with syour version of the other 80% of those facts being hidden from the public. Otherwise, you should invoke the "code of silence".
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 2:17 a.m.
You better recheck your facts on the Romulus case my friend. You have no idea what transpired in that investigation! You people all of a sudden become an authority on these incidents because you read a few articles put out by the media, when in reality the information that you have become an expert on and so willingly give your advice for is based off about ten or twenty percent of the actual full story/investigation.
javajolt1
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 1:26 a.m.
I would like to know why the comment I just posted was censored for "violating aa.com guidelines". Please tell me what particular guideline that comment violated.
A2Woman
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
Yep, ya gotta play by the rules. ;)
javajolt1
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
Ugh. Seriously? That's so silly.
A2Woman
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 1:35 a.m.
I saw your comment, and I believe it was in all caps. A2.com doesn't like yelling. (And no, I didn't report your comment, I could care less)
Jim
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 11:01 p.m.
It's ironic how exploitation of the civil forfeiture law is allowing state governments to take their own baby steps into organized crime.
Roadman
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.
You just hit the nail on the head, Jim.
tdw
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:15 p.m.
Well I'm about as a right wing Republican as they get and I think it's waste of time and money going after pot smokers.I'm don't buy the " medical " baloney for the most part ( I will admit it does have some use although ) I've never known or seen any one who smokes and then wants to fight , unlike alcohol.
tdw
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:19 p.m.
Rats need a edit option . I was out the other day and drove by 3 of them in Ypsi.Why pick on the " land of the $5 fine " ( yea I know that's a little dated )
ffej440
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.
Pot profitiers? As a caregiver I can tell you, we don't grow money trees. The overage I used to be able to sell to dispensaries would offset some of the cost of growing (Which is very expensive-Talking medical grade , not crap) They paid a fair price and when you consider they have rent, employees etc.. just like any busisness, they were not getting rich like people assume. Now patients must pay to cover ALL the caregivers expense. All you folks that think it should be at CVS, know nothing about pot or you wouldn't be so silly. I have smoked for over 30 years, quite certain I know more than the guy at CVS. Besides, the government would probobly make us use GA seeds from Monsanto. Ask yourself, how can it be a schedule 1 drug when the US Government holds patent #6,630,507 for medical use? Folks this is a plant, just like Aloe. You can buy Aloe products in the store or grow your own. Why is pot any different?
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:52 a.m.
How, please tell, did that violate your guidelines? By using actual fact? The breakdown I gave was absolute fact and apparently Ann arbor news would rather have speculation and conjecture than fact. Nice. Thanks Ann arbor news again for your fine censorship.
Tom Joad
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
The writing is on the wall for this shameless pot profiteers. The Michigan Supreme Court will surely uphold the appeals court decision regarding the illegality of the dispensary model. These stores rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars in 'donations' and there is ZERO accountability where the money goes. That is precisely why the Federal government is targeting dispensaries in California and ordering them to close or have assets or property seized. The profiteers made a mockery of the good intent of the medical marijuana law and serve a population of patients who have scammed a script from a disreputable doctor. Some dispensaries even give referrals to their own cadre of physicians who will sign off on a card. If marijuana is a medicine it should be dispensed by licensed pharmacists who can offer professional advice on the side effects. A clerk in a dispensary offering marijuana advice is a sham and extremely dangerous. There are and were planned more dispensaries in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti than there are legitimate drug stores like Walgreens. Why the proliferation? Because the clientele/patients are in significant numbers. It's time for some sensible and strict regulation before we have an addict population of marijuana abusers. You do a great disservice to legitimate chronically ill and terminally ill patients who benefit by the use of marijuana by continuing the current system.
clownfish
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 12:51 p.m.
Aspirin, Tums, Ibuprofin should be locked behind counters.
leaguebus
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
This is sad. We all know that prisons are 25% of the budget in Michigan, still we keep locking up these users/sellers as fast as we can. The Police need to focus on crimes with a victim.
Roadman
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
@Todd: Tell that to John Sinclair.
ToddGack
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 10:16 a.m.
People who sell marijuana do not go to prison
mhirzel
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:54 p.m.
"America," you've clearly got a different idea of what America is/was than I do. Remember, We The People outvoted you, so get over it. I am not a medical marijuana user. I have been blessed with good health. But, for those who qualify, this herb is excellent, God given medicine. If you're not a Fed with lots of campaign money to lose from the private prison contractors, the pharmaceutical or alcohol industries, why would you begrudge some relief to the suffering? I just don't get it. As for the forfeiture request, Mark Kneisel and the other members of the prosecutor's Merry Band of Outlaws know a lucrative, easy take when they see it. This forfeiture business has become nothing more than "legalized" thievery.... 15,000 cases last year, netting 2.5 BILLION for government agencies. Now being contested by innocent, third generation family motel owners, threatened with the forfeiture of their motel (valued at one million) because authorities have made arrests of people who rented a room for the night. <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204450804576623404141904000.html" rel='nofollow'>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204450804576623404141904000.html</a> Looks like attempted entrapment, to boot. And, after the last 10 years, I'm going to believe the owner of the business who says his policy is to check the ID twice. Sad, but I don't believe a single thing my government tells me anymore.
the major
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
Lawnet is full of lies. Its like Chuck said, first they look in the computer to make sure your are valid. Then they buzz you back where they check the actual card or paperwork. Sounds like entrapment if the have an undercover officer pose as patient with expired credentials. I'm pretty sure lawnet has the lamination machine and no how to make a false doc.
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 4:02 a.m.
It's like Chuck said........wahahahahaha yea ok. I definitely would take his word as the gospel over everyone else. He is such an upstanding role model.
clara
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:38 p.m.
One possible delay is the Prosecutor needs forensic analysis of the drugs. The drug lab could take months to get to these samples to test.
clara
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:34 p.m.
And "possessing methamphetamine/ecstasy " so not just marijuana is involved here.
treetowncartel
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:30 p.m.
Property is not protected by the Bill of Rights, or the state and federal constitutions.Civil forfeiture is a pretty easy task for state and federal prosecutors. Lets get real, legalize it, regulate it and tax the bejeezus out of it.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:24 p.m.
I would disagree. The Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits the state from depriving one of his life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Article I, Section 17 of the State of Michigan Constitution provides similar due process protections. Federal and state courts have given interpretations of those sections that have been largely pro-government in forfeiture cases in the last 30 years, however.
itisso
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
Why oh why is marijuana illegal??? Tell the prosecutor to watch Ken Burns Prohibition. Marijuana is a lot less harmful than alcohol. There were about 500,000 people at Woodstock. There were three accidental deaths. If they had been drinking alcohol, I am sure there would have been a lot more. But history tells us that we never learn.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:27 p.m.
Then get it on the ballot and vote it legal. No more problems.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
I know a fellow who told me there was quite a bit of alcohol consumption at Woodstock when he was there in 1970. Among other things.
mhirzel
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
Prohibition of marijuana is not about protecting the public or any other such sensible thing. The War on Drugs is extremely lucrative for many industries and government departments.....
Pam Bethune
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
If the charges are valid, file them and seek the criminal injunction. Otherwise this is just one more example of over reaching by the government looking for funds, funds, funds. We as citizens voted for medical marijuana. Listen to us. i don't use it myself, but cancer patients HAVE found relief with it.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:18 p.m.
Right. Let's consider the cancer patients, MS sufferers and others whose supply is disrupted by LAWNET activities.
DeeDee
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
@america why don't you want them to start arresting all those BigPharma salesmen doing off label sales for unproven drugs? This is just drug pushing to generate profits for the corporate titans, and the pushers, I mean salesguys, generate huge commissions selling them for purposes for which they were not approved. This is a hugely hypocritical situation. If you could get a patent on medical marijuana, I can guarantee you someone would be selling for 30 times the price they get at the dispensaries, and some big pharma company would be paying eminent comsultant physicians to pontificate on the benefits at some swanky "continuing education" event on a cruise ship or at Vail.
Jake C
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
@Roadman: The Internet, perhaps? It lets one research all sorts of facts!
Roadman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:13 p.m.
How are you familiar with "street value" , Todd?
ToddGack
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
Well the dispesensaries sell it at 30 percent above street value. People should just buy it on the street where its cheaper
Sparty
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:10 p.m.
This is one big political stunt, especially given that the citizens voted in favor of medicinally used and available marijuana. This prosecutor ought to be ashamed and should certainly be voted out of office next year, as this is clearly something he's planning as a PR stunt for his campaign.
A2Woman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
@Roadman: "Chuck Ream is being politically targeted by a multijurisdictional law enforcement group who is supposed to be targeting narcotics trafficking - which is a noble goal." We agree: targeting narcotics trafficing is a noble goal We disagree: Chuck Ream is being politically targeted He is a name caller, and I forgot to cite my source earlier this evening: <a href="http://heritage.com/articles/2011/08/26/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc4e5697525d5e9387590588.txt?viewmode=default" rel='nofollow'>http://heritage.com/articles/2011/08/26/ann_arbor_journal/news/doc4e5697525d5e9387590588.txt?viewmode=default</a> Source: A2Journal Be sure and listen to what he called law enforcement. This from someone who used to be an educator in A2?
rainbow
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.
Was any of the money forfeited chucks?
Roadman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
Chuck Ream is being politically targeted by a multijurisdictional law enforcement group who is supposed to be targeting narcotics trafficking - which is a noble goal. Spending vast police resources to go after Chuck Ream smells of a witch hunt. He is highly visible as an advocate of decriminalized pot use - and police are not fond of him for this.
A2Woman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.
@Roadman: Why do you put Chuck on such a pedestal? Former kindergarten teacher? Expert sign maker? Name-caller? What is his claim to fame, just curious. Thanks.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
@cinnabar: They allegedly broke the law. Innnocent until proven guilty Chuck Ream disputes the allegations of LAWNET.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
This is not what we voted on, they broke the law and I'm glad to see they are paying the price.
Ron Granger
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.
Is that one guy still camped out in front of city hall, waiting for a permit?
Roadman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
This is all about money and greed by county government. Why no criminal charges? The burden of proof is much lower for the government in a forfeiture proceeding. The Salem witch trials were motivated by the fact the sheriff received the property of the alleged "witches" via forfeiture. Same motivations here. Local supporters of Chuck Ream and others should e-mail their objections to Brian Mackie over this forfeiture proceeding. Prosecutor Brian Mackie is up for re-election next year. A candidate should be recruited, preferable a Green Democrat or Libertarian-oriented Republican to run against him. Brian Mackie needs to be voted out of office.
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 4:06 a.m.
You and your misinformation. County government greed. IT'S the State Police!!!!!! Only a fraction if any goes back to the greedy county. Ugh.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.
Eric Scheie is not in the bar directory for Michigan. Is he only a member of the California bar ?
Chase Ingersoll
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.
Eric Scheie would fit the bill as an Attorney, Libertarian Republican.
maxdex
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 8:25 p.m.
Yes, it's a slippery slope - today, raiding a medical marijuana dispenserary; tomorrow, burning witches in Ann Arbor. It would be hard to come up with a more ridiculous analogy.
America
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
Shut down all the "dispensaries" and put anything deemed as medical and controlled behind the counter of a pharmacy. Stop pretending these places are anything other than a way for people to use an illegal substance and make it as hard as possible for the laws to be enforced.
Ron Granger
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
Maybe you could explain your position to my Grandmother when she is in excruciating arthritic pain and barely able to hold a cup of coffee. Other drugs either don't provide relief, or leave her so out of it that she is at extreme risk of falling. I think it's also a benefit that mega pharma, with their billions in profit agenda, aren't involved.
timjbd
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 10:38 a.m.
America? No doubt another libertarian who hates individual liberty.
ffej440
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
America- Please read my post below.
CB
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.
This is all about money or the cops/prosecutors would be going after the dangerous, violent criminals. I voted to make medical marijuana legal so my tax dollars would NOT be used for this purpose. Please go after the reckless and drunk drivers, home invaders, crack and meth heads, and murderers please. Leave the compliance to the DLEG where the license comes from.
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
I agree. Make it completely legal. I really don't care. What I do care about is the fact that right now it is for the most part illegal and our own people would rather whine, cry and scream foul at the police, prosecutors and each person that doesn't agree blindly with their way of thinking. To the point they are willing to degrade the police that are just doing their jobs. This med mj law is a sham. Let's call it what it is. The few can get on here and say how it helps my (insert sick person descript here) and the government is now making them writhe in pain. Come on! There isnt a cop here that gives a rip if truly (insert sick person descript here) is smoking weed. This is an over sensationalized act by the whiners who aren't sick but wish to get high. If so many alleged Americans wanted it then it would sweep through the legislation and be legal. There is a small group that are fooling themselves. Sorry.
clownfish
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 12:46 p.m.
Neph, your points are valid, that is why it should be legal to grow it here. By keeping MJ illegal we are helping the drug cartels.
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 4:12 a.m.
And 80% of the drugs in the united states can be traced back to the cartels in Mexico. That's including marijuana also. Yea weed hurts no one. Go to Juarez Mexico and tell them down there that it hurts no one. Tell the rancher on the border that was shot and killed that it hurts no one. See if we are immune from Los Zeta gang that is merciless and gang members have been interdicted as far north as Kalamazoo. You people get so singularly focused on one small aspect of what you believe in and refuse to look at the totality of everything.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
Medical MJ is legal. Using your "clinic" as cover for a drug deal isn't.
Roadman
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.
Exactly.We have a serial rape suspect running around and law enforcement is targeting Chuck Ream and those who drive on crosswalks. The AAPD should be pulled out of LAWNET entirely.