Robert Celt
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Police say four medical marijuana dispensaries sold marijuana to cardholders who were not their registered patients.
The West Michigan Enforcement Team, or WEMET, raided the dispensaries — two in the Saugatuck area, one outside of Allegan City and another in Pullman — last week after undercover officers bought marijuana.
The dispensaries are not connected.
The storefront businesses would not necessarily stand out as marijuana dispensaries, police said.
One of them appeared to be an antique store. Police noted code words, symbols and numbers, such as 420, which is linked to marijuana use, at some of the dispensaries.
Word gets out quickly.
Police acted on Silent Observer tips and information developed by investigators to make undercover buys.
"Basically, people running the dispensaries were selling to cardholders that were not their patients," Lt. Nate Grant said.
Caregivers are allowed to provide marijuana for up to five medical marijuana patients.
Dispensaries are illegal in Michigan but some prosecutors do not pursue charges, Grant said.
During the raids, police also seized marijuana-laced candies and brownies which are not legal under medical marijuana laws, he said. Police also obtained information that led to a grow operation that supplied one of the dispensaries.
No one has been arrested while the suspected marijuana is being tested. Police would not disclose the specific locations of the raided dispensaries.
Grant said those working in dispensaries typically have one of two responses: They thought they could sell to legal card holders, or knew they were selling illegally but wanted to get a jump on the marijuana business if a marijuana-legalization proposal is approved by voters in the fall.
Last week, police in Northern Michigan raided a dozen dispensaries.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Raided In West Michigan
Author: John Agar
Contact: MLive
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: MLive
The West Michigan Enforcement Team, or WEMET, raided the dispensaries — two in the Saugatuck area, one outside of Allegan City and another in Pullman — last week after undercover officers bought marijuana.
The dispensaries are not connected.
The storefront businesses would not necessarily stand out as marijuana dispensaries, police said.
One of them appeared to be an antique store. Police noted code words, symbols and numbers, such as 420, which is linked to marijuana use, at some of the dispensaries.
Word gets out quickly.
Police acted on Silent Observer tips and information developed by investigators to make undercover buys.
"Basically, people running the dispensaries were selling to cardholders that were not their patients," Lt. Nate Grant said.
Caregivers are allowed to provide marijuana for up to five medical marijuana patients.
Dispensaries are illegal in Michigan but some prosecutors do not pursue charges, Grant said.
During the raids, police also seized marijuana-laced candies and brownies which are not legal under medical marijuana laws, he said. Police also obtained information that led to a grow operation that supplied one of the dispensaries.
No one has been arrested while the suspected marijuana is being tested. Police would not disclose the specific locations of the raided dispensaries.
Grant said those working in dispensaries typically have one of two responses: They thought they could sell to legal card holders, or knew they were selling illegally but wanted to get a jump on the marijuana business if a marijuana-legalization proposal is approved by voters in the fall.
Last week, police in Northern Michigan raided a dozen dispensaries.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Raided In West Michigan
Author: John Agar
Contact: MLive
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: MLive
