BIG DADDY'S SAYS NO THANKS TO REDFORD

Big Daddy's Hydro & Compassion Center will not be setting up shop in Redford.

"We were encouraged to apply, but the attitude of the police
department scared us away," said Rick Thompson, editor of Michigan
Medical Marijuana magazine. "They painted a picture for the planning
board that we were a negative, illegal operation. It's too bad,
because we were prepared to invest in Redford and bring jobs."

Big Daddy's specializes in the burgeoning medical marijuana industry.
The company has been somewhat controversial for its aggressive
interpretation of the state's medical marijuana law.

Thompson says it is perfectly legal for patients and caregivers to
openly exchange marijuana in businesses like his.

Redford Police Capt. Eric Gillman disagrees.

The opposing interpretations squared off at a recent Redford Site
Planning Committee hearing.

Thompson talked about his desire to open a hydroponics growing store,
have office space for his magazine and start a compassion club for
the medical marijuana community.

"The medical marijuana law is a mess," Gillman said. "But it is our
view that growing or selling marijuana in a business like this is illegal."

Gillman pointed to a newspaper account of a police investigation
regarding the operations of Thompson's Oak Park facility and said
many pounds of marijuana were seized by police.

Thompson said the law allows police to hold evidence for two years
without charging anyone with a crime.

"If they had something on us, we'd have been charged by now," he
said. "What it means is, they've got nothing."

The company is expanding, most recently opening a location in Burton.
Thompson said he and his associates once had plans to expand all over
Wayne County.

"Our experience in Redford has soured us on Wayne County," Thompson
said. "It is a shame because I'm sure some of those communities would
have been open to having us and wanted the jobs we could provide."