Pubdate: Thu, 22 Dec 2011
Source: Bay City Times, The (MI)
Copyright: 2011 The Bay City Times
Contact: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/bctimes/letters/index.ssf/
Website: http://www.mlive.com/bay-city/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1453
Author: Cole Waterman, The Bay City Times 

HEARING ADJOURNED FOR TRIO CHARGED WITH SELLING MARIJUANA FROM BAY CITY COMPASSION CLUB

BAY CITY -- A local trio charged with illegally operating a medical
marijuana dispensary in Bay City will have to wait until after the new
year for their next day in court.

The preliminary examination of Johnnie V. Randall, 32, Corey R.
Randall, 30, and Joshua P. Perry, 26, has been rescheduled from today
to Jan. 11. Attorney Edward M. Czuprynski, who is representing Perry,
said defense counsel is still waiting on necessary documents.

The Randalls own Beacon of Light Compassion Center, 100 N. Catherine
St. Perry is a registered medical marijuana grower. Police allege the
Randalls and Perry were selling marijuana from the center in violation
of an August ruling by a state Court of Appeals prohibiting
"patient-to-patient sales" of the substance.

The Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, or BAYANET, raided the club
on Aug. 31 and Sept. 27. Police have said staff at the center sold
marijuana to undercover officers.

Despite the Court of Appeals' ruling, licensed growers are allowed to
cultivate up to 12 plants for his or her own use, and up to 60 plants
for five registered patients. The law does not prevent patients from
compensating caregivers for time and resources spent cultivating their
crop. It does not define the amount of compensation.

Attorney Donna Beasley-Gibson, who is representing the Randalls, has
said the brothers only accept donations and do not hand out marijuana
unless a patient provides the necessary identification and paperwork.

Czuprynski said Perry's charges specificy he distributed one gram of
marijuana, worth about $12.

The Randalls and Perry face a combined 18 charges of maintaing a drug
house, conspiracy to possess marijuana and delivering or manufacturing
marijuana. 
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