Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
The Stranger has obtained the search warrant in the alarming medical cannabis raid executed by Seattle police on Monday night. It shows that this frightening show of force in response to a cannabis complaint was predicated upon a narcotics officer smelling cannabis outside an apartment door and seeing a fan in a window. Furthermore, the warrant is signed by the same King County narcotics prosecutor that signed off on the 2008 Lifevine raid in the University District.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommended the warrant. “We approved the search, yes we did,” says King County Prosecuting Attorney’s office chief of staff Ian Goodhew.
He continues: “You could establish probable cause with tons of evidence or just established probable cause. It is a fairly low standard but it’s one that is required for a search warrant.”
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Ellen O’Neill-Stephens, who recommended the search, is the same person who authorized a search on a medical marijuana advocacy group’s office based on an unsubstantiated tip in 2008.
King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg issued a policy in 2008 saying that his office won’t prosecute people for medical marijuana and it supports law enforcement’s “reasonable efforts to carefully and sensitively investigate these [marijuana] cases.” Was this case investigated “carefully and sensitively”?
“I acknowledge that the amount of force used compared what ended up finding can seem out of proportion,” Goodhew says. But he says uncertainty over the law and whether the person is growing for medical purposes or non-medical purposes “can leave law enforcement guessing.” And that requires an investigation—sometimes involving a raid, he says.
The warrant shows no items were seized—meaning there was nothing illegal on the property.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: cdc.coop
Copyright: 2010 CDC
Contact: Contact | Cannabis Defense Coalition
Website: Warrant revealed in shocking Seattle medical cannabis raid | Cannabis Defense Coalition
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommended the warrant. “We approved the search, yes we did,” says King County Prosecuting Attorney’s office chief of staff Ian Goodhew.
He continues: “You could establish probable cause with tons of evidence or just established probable cause. It is a fairly low standard but it’s one that is required for a search warrant.”
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Ellen O’Neill-Stephens, who recommended the search, is the same person who authorized a search on a medical marijuana advocacy group’s office based on an unsubstantiated tip in 2008.
King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg issued a policy in 2008 saying that his office won’t prosecute people for medical marijuana and it supports law enforcement’s “reasonable efforts to carefully and sensitively investigate these [marijuana] cases.” Was this case investigated “carefully and sensitively”?
“I acknowledge that the amount of force used compared what ended up finding can seem out of proportion,” Goodhew says. But he says uncertainty over the law and whether the person is growing for medical purposes or non-medical purposes “can leave law enforcement guessing.” And that requires an investigation—sometimes involving a raid, he says.
The warrant shows no items were seized—meaning there was nothing illegal on the property.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: cdc.coop
Copyright: 2010 CDC
Contact: Contact | Cannabis Defense Coalition
Website: Warrant revealed in shocking Seattle medical cannabis raid | Cannabis Defense Coalition
