The War on Medical Marijuana in MI Super Thread, NEWS,BUST,LAWS <<<<Updated Often>>>>

[LittleDabbie]

Drug Task Force seizes pot in St. Clair

Three people were arrested following a drug investigation in St. Clair.

The St. Clair County Sheriff Drug Task Force arrested an 18-year-old man, 19-year-old woman and 48-year-old woman, all of St. Clair, Oct. 28.

The task force seized about $2,000 of marijuana, hash oil, packaging materials and scales inside the home on the 400 block of Clinton Street, according to a statement from police.

The man and two women are facing charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of hash and maintaining a drug house.

The St. Clair Police Department and Special Response Team assisted in the case.

http://www.thetimesherald.com/story...drug-task-force-seizes-pot-st-clair/18653813/

 

[LittleDabbie]

Police seize $96,000 of marijuana

Two people were arrested and $96,000 of marijuana was seized following an investigation by the St. Clair County Sheriff Drug Task Force.

Officers served a search warrant in the 200 block of South Eagle Road in Imlay Township about 7 p.m. Tuesday following an investigation into the sale of marijuana on the western portion of St. Clair County.

Officers also seized scales, packaging materials, hash oil and several long guns.

A 52-year-old Imlay Township man and a 50-year-old Imlay Township woman were arrested on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of hash, maintaing a drug house, felon in possession of a firearm and felony firearm.

The St. Clair County Special Response Team and Lapeer County Sheriff Department assisted at the scene.

http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/local/2014/11/07/police-seize-marijuana/18654153/

 

[LittleDabbie]

These 14 cities in Michigan have passed laws decriminalizing marijuana possession and use

On November 4, voters in five Michigan cities voted to decriminalize marijuana possession.

• Berkley
• Huntington Woods
• Mount Pleasant
• Port Huron
• Saginaw

These are the most recent cities to do so. But decriminalizing a federally illegal substance is complex. These laws leave a lot up to the interpretation of local law enforcement officials.

Decriminalizing marijuana began back in 1972 in Ann Arbor, and has really picked up steam over the last few years. Here's an overview of the cities that have decriminalized marijuana in Michigan, when they did so, and what it means for residents and law enforcement.



Ann Arbor, 1972

Starting in 1972, possession of two ounces or less of marijuana would yield a $5 ticket. The law came about in response to the arrest of poet and activist John Sinclair, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling two joints to undercover police officers.

Today, the ticket is $25, and no specific amount of weed is listed in the city charter.

For a more in-depth recounting of Ann Arbor's history, read this post by Michigan Radio's Mark Brush.

Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, 2012

Detroit's proposal M exempts adults 21 years or older from criminal prosecution for the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.

Flint's policy is similar to Detroit's, but for citizens 19 years or older. Flint police, however, were very vocal about the vote not influencing the way that police officers carried out their jobs.

Grand Rapids voters approved a law that mirrors Ann Arbor's — possession of marijuana is a civil infraction, similar to receiving a parking ticket.

That vote is being challenged by the Kent County prosecutor's office in court. The Michigan Court of Appeals will hear arguments on the case on November 14.

More from WOOD-TV:

The prosecutor’s office says the charter amendment conflicts with state law and prevents prosecutors from doing their job prosecuting criminal offenses, which includes drug cases. The city is defending the amendment.

Lansing, Jackson, Ferndale, 2o13

Voters in Lansing, Jackson and Ferndale all passed local laws decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana in November of 2013.

Hazel Park, Oak Park, August 2014

Both Hazel Park and Oak Park voted to decriminalize less than one ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and older who are on private property.

Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Saginaw, Mount Pleasant, Port Huron, November 2014

In the Metro Detroit communities of Berkley and Huntington Woods, voters lifted local bans on possession of marijuana for individuals 21 years or older on private property.

Pleasant Ridge voted to make marijuana a low priority for city police officers.

And Saginaw voters put a new section in the city's charter that prevents elected officials from placing further restrictions on marijuana use for people 21 and up who are on private property. According to MLive:

Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel said deputies will stop citing people with minor marijuana violations. However, interim Saginaw police Chief Robert Ruth and Saginaw County Prosecutor John McColgan both said they did not plan on having their respective departments change how they do their jobs.

Mount Pleasant voted that nothing in the city's charter would punish marijuana possession of less than an ounce, which according to the city's public information officer, won't result in much of a change because they already do not target marijuana use.

Port Huron narrowly passed a similar ordinance to Berkley and Huntington Woods.

But what does it mean?

These local laws all conflict with state and federal laws that deem marijuana use illegal. The laws are, however, symbolic of the public's increasing tolerance of marijuana use and possession.

In an interview with Michigan Radio's Steve Carmody, Jeff Hank, who headed up Lansing's pro-marijuana campaign, said, "It sends a message not only to our local politicians, but politicians at the state level that it's time to do something."

We ran this list by the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington D.C. and they agreed that it looks complete. If you think we missed a city, let us know!

- Paige Pfleger, Mark Brush, Michigan Radio Newsroom

http://michiganradio.org/post/these...-decriminalizing-marijuana-possession-and-use

 

[SpiderK]

Huge raid to shut down 400-plus dark net sites

Silk Road 2.0 and 400 other sites believed to be selling illegal items including drugs and weapons have been shut down.

The sites operated on the Tor network - a part of the internet unreachable via traditional search engines. The joint operation between 16 European countries and the US saw 17 arrests, including Blake Benthall who is said to be behind Silk Road 2.0. Experts believe the shutdown represents a breakthrough for fighting cybercrime.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29950946

 

[SpiderK]

Sorry ..... mich thread oooooooops ...

See what happens when so many threads get shut down i thought it was a news thread ...

 

[LittleDabbie]

Sorry ..... mich thread oooooooops ...

See what happens when so many threads get shut down i thought it was a news thread ...

Was kinda ??? why you posted that in this thread lol

 

[LittleDabbie]

Muskegon Co. church volunteer investigated for child sexual abuse

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) -- Michigan State Police are investigating a Muskegon County man who may have molested five to 10 boys he meet through his position as a volunteer church youth leader.

Detectives began investigating Randall Doctor, 60, in August after a man, who is now in his 40s, reported the alleged sexual abuse. The man told detectives he was in his teens at the time.

Doctor was a volunteer youth leader at a church police have not yet identified. He has not been affiliated with the church for 25 years.

When investigators searched Doctors' Muskegon area home looking for possible evidence of the sexual assault, they found a marijuana grow operation. Friday morning Doctor was in court for a hearing on the manufacturing marijuana charge. He has not been charged with sexual assault.

The Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office is waiting for full police reports from MSP detectives on the alleged sexual assault before deciding if Doctor will face additional criminal charges. He is being held in the Muskegon County Jail.

Detectives believe other teens affiliated with the church where Doctor volunteered may have be molested in the 1970s and 1980s. They ask anyone with information to call Michigan State Police Rockford Post at (616) 866-4411.

 

[LittleDabbie]

Head of four-county pot operation enters guilty plea

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) - The head of an illegal medical marijuana operation that sold pot to scores of ineligible patients has pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy that touched four West Michigan counties.

Shawn Andrew Taylor, 30, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. Taylor admitted to conspiring to distribute up to 132 pounds of high-grade marijuana between Jan. 2009 and Oct. 2013.

He is one of 37 people charged with using Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act as a ruse to grow plants at more than a dozen locations in Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Oceana counties. They called themselves the Medical Marijuana Team.

Taylor, who lives in Oceana County, faces between five and 40 years in prison when he sentenced April 14. About half of those charged have pleaded guilty and will be sentenced early next year.

Under the plea agreement, criminal charges were dismissed against his wife, Molly Taylor, and the government will not pursue forfeit proceedings against their home.

Those involved – including five married couples – bought and sold marijuana, hashish, marijuana wax and other marijuana-related products. Many even wore clothing bearing the group's distinctive logo, while others had tattoos of the logo on their bodies, the government said in its April indictment.

"Taylor believed he could profit by having an interest in numerous marijuana manufacturing operations maintained by other people who maintained Michigan Medical Marijuana Act caregiver and patient cards,'' the government spelled out in its plea agreement.

"Under the plan, a large number of marijuana plants could be in near constant production and each production facility would appear to be in compliance with the MMMA,'' the plea agreement says. "To facilitate this, Taylor began recruiting patients and caregivers and sometimes paid for marijuana certifications and MMMA licensing fees.''

Taylor was adept at growing larger plants, some of which were capable of producing between 8 and 20 ounces of finished marijuana per plant. The marijuana produced by Taylor typically sold for between $185 and $200 an ounce, federal authorities say.

He also saw the profit potential in being able to sell the overages to other persons or two medical marijuana consignment shops, the government said, noting the Michigan Supreme Court ruled consignment shops or dispensaries were illegal under the MMMA.

The organization had its own marketing arm, advertising on Craigslist and sending text messages to hundreds of potential customers to tout the availability and quality of the marijuana available, federal prosecutors said.

 

[deacon1503]

Head of four-county pot operation enters guilty plea

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) - The head of an illegal medical marijuana operation that sold pot to scores of ineligible patients has pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy that touched four West Michigan counties.

Shawn Andrew Taylor, 30, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. Taylor admitted to conspiring to distribute up to 132 pounds of high-grade marijuana between Jan. 2009 and Oct. 2013.

He is one of 37 people charged with using Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act as a ruse to grow plants at more than a dozen locations in Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Oceana counties. They called themselves the Medical Marijuana Team.

Taylor, who lives in Oceana County, faces between five and 40 years in prison when he sentenced April 14. About half of those charged have pleaded guilty and will be sentenced early next year.

Under the plea agreement, criminal charges were dismissed against his wife, Molly Taylor, and the government will not pursue forfeit proceedings against their home.

Those involved – including five married couples – bought and sold marijuana, hashish, marijuana wax and other marijuana-related products. Many even wore clothing bearing the group's distinctive logo, while others had tattoos of the logo on their bodies, the government said in its April indictment.

"Taylor believed he could profit by having an interest in numerous marijuana manufacturing operations maintained by other people who maintained Michigan Medical Marijuana Act caregiver and patient cards,'' the government spelled out in its plea agreement.

"Under the plan, a large number of marijuana plants could be in near constant production and each production facility would appear to be in compliance with the MMMA,'' the plea agreement says. "To facilitate this, Taylor began recruiting patients and caregivers and sometimes paid for marijuana certifications and MMMA licensing fees.''

Taylor was adept at growing larger plants, some of which were capable of producing between 8 and 20 ounces of finished marijuana per plant. The marijuana produced by Taylor typically sold for between $185 and $200 an ounce, federal authorities say.

He also saw the profit potential in being able to sell the overages to other persons or two medical marijuana consignment shops, the government said, noting the Michigan Supreme Court ruled consignment shops or dispensaries were illegal under the MMMA.

The organization had its own marketing arm, advertising on Craigslist and sending text messages to hundreds of potential customers to tout the availability and quality of the marijuana available, federal prosecutors said.

That's all bad.

 

[LittleDabbie]

That's all bad.

Its really not that unusual in any states with medical laws passed.. It just goes to show the need for full legalization, The time is now!

 

[LittleDabbie]

West Michigan Medical Marijuana Conference draws local vendors, residents to Frauenthal Center

MUSKEGON, MI — Deven Halberda stood outside the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts waving at traffic and pedestrians while wearing a large, green costume.

The Spring Lake resident received different reactions from people because he was dressed as "Weedie" – a mascot for the first annual West Michigan Medical Marijuana Conference that runs from Friday, Nov. 7 to Sunday, Nov. 9.

"There were some people who walked up to me," Halberda said from inside the insulated costume. The outfit included five leafy points with ridged edges and two cartoonish eyes that were colored slightly red. "I got some not-so-good looks, but there have been a lot of good reactions with people giving me a thumb's up."

Inside the Frauenthal, located on 425 W. Western Ave., the three-day conference had several vendors who were there to hand out information and discuss the ways marijuana can help others medically.

Jule Geiger, hostess for the first-time conference, said the vendors were in Muskegon to promote not only their product, but the conference as well.

"All these vendors are here to just try to promote this," Geiger said. "There are classes on cloning for some of the growers that want to learn how to make more plants. There are also some certification people up there who can get you certified with a medical license if you have all the necessary slips from a doctor."

Having been in the works for at least a year and a half, Geiger said the conference came about from the efforts of Paul Miller, the owner of a registered non-profit called the Muskegon Medical Marijuana Caregivers Association.

Services offered each day of the conference include growing classes for those who are advanced or just beginning, cloning classes and patient talk sessions. On Sunday afternoon, they will be giving away trophies for certain categories as well as the Cannabis Cup to wrap up the weekend.

The conference is also holding rides on "The Magic Bus," which Geiger said allows people to take a ride to some of the local marijuana dispensaries.

"I'm told The Magic Bus will take a trail around the lake and stop at a couple of dispensaries," Geiger said. "It will allow some of its passengers to order some goodies if they have a medical card with them."

Randy Artibee, a Montague resident who is part of a company called Medical Marijuana Mix – known to others as M3 – was a vendor for the conference on Friday. Artibee and two others have an office in Ludington where they sell a form of soil that can be used to grow organic material.

"We call it a soil, but it's an organic growing medium," Artibee said. "It's almost like a hydroponic medium with nutrients that break down in time."

The three entrepreneurs have been involved with supplying a lot of different growth stores, which was where they first heard about the upcoming conference.

With the recent elections coming to a close, Artibee had a few predictions as to when Michigan would legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

"I think it's going to happen soon. People are starting to really understand that there is a value," Artibee said. "I really think it needs to have a handle on it. It needs to be tested. It needs to be safe. I hope they get a handle on it, because it's supposed to be helping us and not hurting us."

For more information on the West Michigan Medical Marijuana Conference, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/West-Michigan-Medical-Marijuana-Conference.

Below is a list of upcoming events for the rest of the three-day conference:

SATURDAY, NOV. 8

Beginning Grow Classes, Noon-12:50 p.m.

Advanced Grow Classes, 1-1:50 p.m.

Cloning Classes, 2-2:50 p.m.

Patient Talk Time, 4-5 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 9

Beginning Grow Classes, Noon-12:50 p.m.

Advanced Grow Classes, Noon-12:50 p.m.

Cloning Classes, 2-2:50 p.m.

Tony Wittkowski is a staff reporter at MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2014/11/local_venders_residents_assemb.html

 

[LittleDabbie]

Police: Marijuana stashed in Michigan baby's diaper

Battle Creek police said they are continuing to investigate how some marijuana was placed in the diaper of a 1-year old girl.

Police said Monday they were called to a day-care center on Arbor Street at 9:09 a.m. Wednesday. An employee told officers when she changed the diaper she found a small baggie of marijuana.

Police are awaiting a lab test on the green leafy substance, but believe its marijuana.

The worker said the child arrived with a clean diaper and believes it could have fallen into the diaper when the mother changed it that morning.

The case remains under investigation.

Trace Christenson is a reporter for the Battle Creek Enquirer

http://www.freep.com/story/news/loc.../baby-diaper-marijuana-battle-creek/18843109/

 

[LittleDabbie]

Ferndale alternative high school going online only

Ferndale Public Schools' alternative high school will be retooled into an online-only program and moved to a new location, school officials said.

The announcement comes after a gun accidentally discharged in the school last Thursday while a student was being searched by a police liaison officer.

Plans to retool the program were in the works before the gun incident, though it "sped up our time table," district spokesman Bill Good said today.

District officials said Thursday's incident occurred after a police liaison officer at the Digital Learning Center searched a student and found marijuana and a small handgun. The gun discharged accidentally. A bullet lodged in the wall, but no one was injured.

The alternative high school opened in 2012 and has been a blend of an online program and a brick-and-mortar program — geared toward students who have dropped out or have trouble succeeding in a traditional setting.

Good said academic achievement isn't where the districts wants it to be, and enrollment is down —from about 500 last year to about 350 this year.

"Financially it made sense for us to consolidate the program into another building," Good said.

The program will now be all online, Superintendent Blake Prewitt said in a statement Friday. The academic case managers who provide assistance to students will be available to conduct one-on-one mentoring by appointment only. The mentoring can be done online or in person.

The district is also moving the staff for the program from the Taft Education Center to the Jefferson Center. Security will be enhanced at Jefferson Center.

"This change is being made to improve safety, academic achievement and fiscal responsibility," Prewitt said in the statement. "Student safety and achievement is at the heart of all we do."

By altering the way the program operates, Prewitt said, "we are putting our students in a better position to be successful."

"It is never ideal to have to make drastic changes to one of our programs during the school year. However, in light of recent events, swift action was called for," Prewitt said.

There have been previous incidents at the alternative school that resulted in student arrests.

http://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...schools-revamps-alternative-program/18849275/

 

[LittleDabbie]

Prosecutor challenging Grand Rapids marijuana law

Posted: Nov 11, 2014 1:13 PM ESTUpdated: Nov 11, 2014 1:13 PM EST
By ED WHITE
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) - A Grand Rapids law that makes possession of small amounts of marijuana a small civil offense is being challenged this week at the Michigan appeals court.

The arguments Friday come as more Michigan communities are choosing to take it easy on pot. Voters in six cities last week approved proposals to allow use on private property or make enforcement of marijuana laws a low priority for police. Five more voted no.

In Grand Rapids, marijuana possession is akin to a traffic ticket, with fines ranging from $25 to $100. Voters in 2012 approved it by nearly 60 percent.

But the Kent County prosecutor, Bill Forsyth, is challenging the law. He says Grand Rapids voters can't trump state law, which makes marijuana use a crime.

 

[oscar169]

The only reason grand Rapids is doing this bc they are losing soo much money and now are tring to hang onto that lose $$$ good luck gr the golden goose that you call Marijuana is about to. Lay the last golden egg

 

[FiveAM]

The only reason grand Rapids is doing this bc they are losing soo much money and now are tring to hang onto that lose $$$ good luck gr the golden goose that you call Marijuana is about to. Lay the last golden egg

I mean come on Oscar, how are they going to pay for all those inflated salaries and "other expenses"?? smh

These asshats and their party politics trying to go against the will of the people. Just amazing to me.

 

[stonestacker]

Come on boys You know mom and pop republican knows what's best for us voters. We don't know what's good for us so they will just fix it for us.

 

[Tony69]

I do not believe this issue comes down to a R or a D behind the politicians name. The majority of my friends lean conservative in nature with liberal social view points and I respect every ones views. I enjoy talking to people with opposing view points because it helps me understand the issue and the reasons why they look at it differently than myself. Like many issues that plague our country today is whether the accepted laws are decided by elected officials which you elect by voting, or by the judicial branch of government which are generally not elected but appointed. For example, same sex marriage in California, Proposition 8. The people of California voted to up hold marriage is between a man and a woman. However the judicial branch of government decided to null the peoples vote and call it unconstitutional.

 

[FiveAM]

It's amazing that the feds have let all these states have medical pot. But this little ole city official thinks he can decide these things himself. He probably has a case and if he loses, then we'll see a lot more support around for those cities that have people on the fence about the issue.

Got his name in the paper, that's a point for him now isn't it?

 

[LittleDabbie]

Several arrests made at Wexford County rave party

CADILLAC — A Facebook tip led police to a weekend rave party in Wexford County, where several arrests were made.

The party took place Saturday night into Sunday morning on East 50 Road near South 33 Road in Cherry Grove Township. A tip police received through Facebook said as many as 4,000 party-goers were expected to attend.

About 150 people were in attendance and dispersed once officers arrived. Cadillac Police arrested one person for carrying a concealed weapon. The Wexford County Sheriff’s Office arrested one person for possession of marijuana.

Michigan State Police Sgt. Scott Bates said several minor in possession arrests were made, and one fugitive was taken inot custody. One person was also arrested for drunken driving.