Pubdate: Thu, 22 Sep 2005
Source: Auburn Journal (CA)
Copyright: 2005 Gold Country Media
Contact:  http://www.auburnjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/530
Author: Penne Usher, Journal Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

ONE TON OF MARIJUANA SEIZED FROM HOME OF FOOTHILLS GROWER

Authorities Dispute Medipot Recommendations He Used

A Nevada County man was recently arrested after deputies confiscated
nearly a ton of marijuana from his property.

"The total weight of the 109 plants we seized was about a ton," Sgt.
Bill Evans, of the Nevada County Sheriff's Narcotics Task Force, said
Wednesday. "I'm estimating the weight based on the two pickups and
dump trailer used to haul it away."

Thomas J. Wease, 42, of Nevada City, was arrested Friday and charged
with suspicion of cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for
sale, being armed while committing a felony, and resisting arrest.

Evans said there is a separate ongoing investigation of child
endangerment after officers found Wease's 16-year-old stepson alone in
the home.

Wease reportedly told officers that he was growing the marijuana for
medical purposes.

California law, passed by voters in 1996, allows people to grow, smoke
or obtain marijuana for medical needs with a doctor's recommendation,
which is similar to a prescription.

When law enforcement officers served a search warrant at Wease's
Robinson Road home in North San Juan, an unincorporated community in
15 miles north of Nevada County, they found 23 marijuana
recommendations, some from individuals in Los Angeles.

"They had no idea someone was growing for them," Evans said. "These
were recommendations Wease was trying to pass off (to legitimize) him
being the caregiver."

The recommendations were legitimate; however, an investigation into
how Wease obtained what appears to be copies is also under
investigation. Evans said the Drug Enforcement Agency could become
involved in the investigation.

Placer County law enforcement officers are no strangers to clandestine
marijuana grows.

"In past years we've had some huge busts," said Lt. George Malim,
spokesman for the Placer County Sheriff's Department. "The recent
trend is for Mexican nationals to grow in wooded areas. The ones we
have on public lands definitely don't meet the criteria for a medical
grow."

Law enforcement officials allowed Wease to keep 29 of his marijuana
plants.

"We determined that five of the recommendations were legitimate for
in-county residents and one out-of-the-county resident," Evans said.

Wease is free on $10,750 bail. He could not be located for comment.
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