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HENDERSON BROTHERS PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL MARIJUANA CHARGES

Operators of 'Organic Releaf' Dispensary Face Heavy Prison Term and Fines

Two Henderson brothers accused of running a medical marijuana dispensary in Las Vegas and growing marijuana in a Henderson office complex pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to distribute more than 100 marijuana plants, federal authorities announced.

Eric Medlin, 28, and Raymond Medlin, 31, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute more than 100 plants, according to Daniel G.  Bogden, U.S.  Attorney for Nevada.

The Medlins, who entered their pleas before U.S.  District Judge Gloria M.  Navarro, will be sentenced Nov.  29.  They each face up to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine.

The brothers owned and operated "Organic Releaf," at 8545 S.  Eastern Ave., in Las Vegas, one of several area medical marijuana dispensaries shut down in recent years by law enforcement officials.

Eleven states, including California and Arizona, allow dispensaries.  Nevada does not.

Law enforcement officials raided "Organic Releaf" on Sept.  8, 2010, and seized about two kilograms of marijuana, consisting of 181 plants and dried marijuana in containers that had labels such as "White Rhino," "White Widow," "Purple Wreck," and "Sour Diesel."

At the time, the Medlins were not arrested, although their mother, Caroline Dellevalle, and another man, Chad Uhl, were convicted of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana in relation to that case.

Responding to a citizen complaint about a possible marijuana grow operation, law enforcement officers on March 29 raided an office complex at 1941 Ramrod Ave., Suite 100, in Henderson and found 50 marijuana plants and related grow equipment.

The Medlins were both seen on the office complex property and neither had a required Nevada medical marijuana card.

Nevada's laws allow people with state-issued medical marijuana cards to have a small amount in their possession.

But law enforcement has been cracking down on dispensaries, which were trying to get around the state prohibition on retail sale by forming co-op organizations and accepting "donations" instead of direct payments.

The Nevada Supreme Court has been asked to rule on the question and some state legislators are also expected to try to get the ban lifted in 2013.