Pubdate: Thu, 12 Jan 2012
Source: Oakland Press, The (MI)
Copyright: 2012 The Oakland Press
Contact:  http://www.theoaklandpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2114
Author: Dave Phillips

CLINICAL RELIEF MEDICAL MARIJUANA CASES DISMISSED

The case against a Ferndale medical marijuana dispensary was dismissed
Wednesday by Oakland County Circuit Judge Daniel O'Brien.

Clinical Relief was raided Aug. 26, 2010, resulting in charges being
filed against Ryan Richmond, Barbara Johnson, Ryan Fleissner, Matthew
Curtis, Angelina Veseli, Anthony Agro, Barbara Agro and Nicholas Agro.

A press release from the office of Neil Rockind, who represented
Richmond in the case, called the decision to drop all charges against
all defendants "a ground breaking opinion."

Rockind had previously argued that the owners of the clinic believed
they were complying with the law and had approval from the city of
Ferndale.

Prosecutors have said that caregivers are only able to provide
marijuana for up to five patients and must be connected to those
patients through a registration process. Dispensaries are not legal,
according to the prosecutor's office.

"This is the most significant ruling since the passage of the Medical
Marijuana Act," the release states.

"Since the initiation of charges, attorneys for all defendants have
challenged every aspect of the prosecution's case and have appeared in
court numerous times - primarily to argue issues of law.

"Today is a huge victory for medical marijuana caregivers and patients
statewide."

A message left with Rockind was not immediately returned Wednesday
afternoon. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D