12 INDICTED ON POT-CANDY CHARGES

A federal grand jury indicted 12 people Thursday on charges that they
worked at East Bay warehouses to make candy and soft drinks
resembling popular goodies but laced with marijuana.

The alleged ringleader, Kenneth Affolter, 39, of Lafayette, six other
men and five women worked at Beyond Bomb and allegedly manufactured a
range of pot-laced treats with names like Buddahfingers, Munchy Way,
Rasta Reece's and Puff-a-Mint Pattie, authorities said.

Beyond Bomb operated from adjoining warehouses at 1055 and 1071 Yerba
Buena Ave. and 3960 Adeline St. in Emeryville, according to Drug
Enforcement Administration agents.

Most of the defendants have been released from bond, but Affolter
will be in court today to argue for his release, said his attorney,
Robert Byers of Oakland.

Medical marijuana advocates say the treats are legal under state law
and are designed for sick patients who rely on cannabis to ease their
symptoms. DEA officials say marijuana in any form is illegal under
federal law.