Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
A North Adams man has been sentenced to up to two years in prison for growing marijuana that he said was for patients.
Daniel Chao, 39, admitted that he was running what prosecutors called a sophisticated marijuana growing and cultivation operation in his home when police executed a search warrant on Oct. 9, 2013.
Police found an indoor/outdoor growing operation with about 88 plants of varying strains and in various stages of growth, according to Assistant Berkshire District Attorney Richard Locke. Police also found scales, marijuana-infused edible products, grow lights, hydroponic growing equipment and bags of marijuana pre-packaged for sale,
Locke estimated the value of the marijuana at about $80,000.
Chao was running the growing operation under the name Greylock Caregivers and was keeping detailed journals and lists of medical marijuana patients for whom he was cultivating the plants.
Locke said Chao was cooperative and forthcoming with investigators and told them it was his understanding of the medical marijuana law, that, because he had a medical marijuana recommendation from a physician, he could, in turn, cultivate marijuana for other specific patients.
He pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court on Wednesday to one count each of fraudulent use of a medical marijuana registration card or cultivation registration and cultivation of marijuana.
Judge Daniel Ford sentenced him to one to two years in state prison on those charges. Charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of tetrahydrocannabinols with intent to distribute were dropped as part of the agreed-upon plea deal.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pot-growing operation nets prison for North Adams man - Berkshire Eagle Online
Author: Bob Dunn
Contact: bdunn@berkshireeagle.com
Photo Credit: CN Australia
Website: Pittsfield Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic - Berkshire Eagle Online
Daniel Chao, 39, admitted that he was running what prosecutors called a sophisticated marijuana growing and cultivation operation in his home when police executed a search warrant on Oct. 9, 2013.
Police found an indoor/outdoor growing operation with about 88 plants of varying strains and in various stages of growth, according to Assistant Berkshire District Attorney Richard Locke. Police also found scales, marijuana-infused edible products, grow lights, hydroponic growing equipment and bags of marijuana pre-packaged for sale,
Locke estimated the value of the marijuana at about $80,000.
Chao was running the growing operation under the name Greylock Caregivers and was keeping detailed journals and lists of medical marijuana patients for whom he was cultivating the plants.
Locke said Chao was cooperative and forthcoming with investigators and told them it was his understanding of the medical marijuana law, that, because he had a medical marijuana recommendation from a physician, he could, in turn, cultivate marijuana for other specific patients.
He pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court on Wednesday to one count each of fraudulent use of a medical marijuana registration card or cultivation registration and cultivation of marijuana.
Judge Daniel Ford sentenced him to one to two years in state prison on those charges. Charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of tetrahydrocannabinols with intent to distribute were dropped as part of the agreed-upon plea deal.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pot-growing operation nets prison for North Adams man - Berkshire Eagle Online
Author: Bob Dunn
Contact: bdunn@berkshireeagle.com
Photo Credit: CN Australia
Website: Pittsfield Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic - Berkshire Eagle Online
