Pubdate: Mon, 25 Apr 2016
Source: Petoskey News-Review (MI)
Copyright: 2016 Petoskey News-Review
Contact: http://www.petoskeynews.net/forms/lettertotheeditor.html
Website: http://www.petoskeynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4115
Author: Mark Johnson
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our editors
may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who have not been
convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise public figures or
officials.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n259/a05.html

MORE SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO MARCH 10 MEDICAL MARIJUANA RAIDS

GAYLORD - Two more suspects were arrested Friday follow the March 10
Otsego County medical marijuana dispensary raids, bringing the total
arrest number to four.

According to Detective Lt. Ken Mills, unit commander for the Straits
Area Narcotics Enforcement (SANE) team, a 21-year-old male and a
56-year-old male, both owners of Gaylord medical marijuana
dispensaries, were arrested Friday.

The names of both men are being held pending their arraignment. Mills
said the 21-year-old was arrested and lodged at the Otsego County Jail
and was released after posting bond. The 56-year-old man turned
himself in at the Michigan State Police Gaylord post, posted bond and
was released without being lodged.

Mills was unable to provide the charges the men were arrested on,
though he said they both were found to be in violation of the Michigan
Medical Marihuana Act.

According to Mills, each of the 10 medical marijuana dispensaries
searched March 10 were dispensing marijuana to patients who they were
not registered to through the state marijuana program, which he said
is a violation of the marijuana law. He said a majority of the
dispensaries were also violating the law by selling or dispensing
items that contained THC, like edibles and waxes.

"They were not just dispensing plants," Mills said.

These two men are the third and fourth suspects to be arrested
following the March 10 raids, in addition to a fifth suspect, Chad
Morrow, 36, former owner of Cloud 45 in Gaylord, whose dispensary was
searched again April 19. Morrow was arraigned April 20 by Judge
Patricia A. Morse in 87th District Court on charges of delivery or
manufacturing of marijuana, delivery of a controlled substance and
operating and maintaining a drug house.

The additional two suspects arrested include [name1 redacted], 45, and
[name2 redacted], 36, both of Gaylord.

[name1 redacted] was arraigned March 14 on charges of operating or
maintaining a controlled substance laboratory near certain places,
other businesses in this instance; four counts of delivery of or
possession with intent to deliver marijuana, or manufacture of
marijuana; and one count of operating or maintaining a drug house.
Each will be charged as a second offense.

[name1 redacted] is the former owner of The Apothecary in Gaylord, and
was arraigned April 4 on three counts of delivery of or possession
with intent to deliver marijuana, or manufacture of marijuana; and one
count of maintaining a drug house.

Mills said the investigations following the searches March 10 continue
and more arrests are expected to be made in the near future.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D