POLICE RAID MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY, SEIZE CASH

OAK PARK - People at an Oak Park medical marijuana dispensary said
officers entered their building Wednesday evening, searched people
there and took money.

Rick Thompson, who writes for Michigan Medical Marijuana Magazine, a
publication located in the same building as the dispensary and Big
Daddy's Hydro, said between eight and 10 officers came into the
building at 5 p.m.

"They were very polite, there was no yelling or flash grenades," he
said, noting three officers were masked.

"They were courteous to the 10 patients and employees, and even let
one pregnant woman go to the bathroom."

Thompson said he believes the raid was a response to recent court
matters involving the DEA's request for patient information.

"This was just reactionary action directed by Lansing to intimidate
us and the Michigan Association of Compassion Clubs and our stand to
protect patients' rights," he said.

A call has been placed to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for a response.

Officers asked to see drivers licenses and medical marijuana cards.

"Since everybody had proper ID, there were no concerns," said Thompson.

Officers seized $2,874 and some medical marijuana, said Thompson.

No one was arrested.

"They didn't take patients' money or medicine, but they have done
that in the past," he said.

"They took some medication, whatever we had on hand, and brownies and suckers."

Thompson said the dispensary uses a locker system, similar to one
used at a Mt. Pleasant compassion club.

"It was found to be in compliance and we have a similar system of
distribution," he said.

He explained caregivers bring medicine in for their patients and then
dispensary workers distribute it to patients "in a way that means
caregivers don't have to stay all day long," he said.

"It's safe and secure and legally correct."

Thompson said he found the raid's timing odd.

"What is odd is if they wanted to arrest someone for doing illegal
transfers, they could have done that or if they had wanted to hal
business for not operating within the law they could have done that.
They didn't toss the place but only focused on one or two rooms."

Grand Rapids Medical Marijuana Hearing Postponed

A judge in Grand Rapids postponed a hearing Wednesday to determine if
the state of Michigan should cooperate with a federal subpoena
seeking medical marijuana records.

The delay Wednesday was due to a last-minute request to intervene by
a group called the Michigan Association of Compassion Clubs.

Federal drug investigators have served a subpoena on the state
seeking information on certain people with medical marijuana or
marijuana caregiver cards.

The Drug Enforcement Administration won't talk about the Lansing-area
probe but says it's not cracking down on medical marijuana users. The
agency says it pursues large-scale drug traffickers. The state says
it will comply if there is a court order.

More than 45,000 people in Michigan are registered to use marijuana
to ease the symptoms of cancer and other health problems.

Thompson said officers said, "'Don't blame us, it comes from above.'"

No undercover officers first attempted to buy medical marijuana, he said.

"Now they (officers) come in almost apologetic," he said

"This tells me this wasn't directed by the Oakland County Sheriff."