FAKE IDs GOT COPS INTO POT DISPENSARIES, HEARING TOLD

Exam for Eight Charged Under Medical Marijuana Law to Resume Jan. 19

Waterford Township - Eight co-defendants accused of running afoul of
Michigan's medical marijuana law will have to wait a bit longer to
find out if they will be ordered to stand trial.

After a full day of testimony Friday in Waterford's 51st District
Court, Judge Richard Kuhn Jr. adjourned a preliminary exam for the
defendants, who were arrested after an August raid at several
locations in Waterford. The hearing will resume Jan. 19.

"We did nothing against the law," said defendant William Teichman.
"We followed the guidelines of the medical marijuana act."

Undercover officers of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office testified
that they showed fake medical ID cards to gain entry and make
purchases at Everybody's Cafe and Herbal Remedies, marijuana
dispensaries owned by Teichman and his wife, Candace, last summer on
several occasions.

The visits were part of an ongoing investigation that began in July
and led to an Aug. 25 raid of the dispensaries and the Teichmans' home.

The Teichmans and vendors affiliated with the two businesses were
arrested after the bust on several charges, including a felony count
of possession with intent to deliver.

Marijuana products were sold at the dispensaries by caregivers to
people with patient identification cards issued by the Michigan
Department of Community Health, the defense argued.

Oakland County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand declined to
comment on the case.

The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act has created legal controversy
across the state since voters approved it in November 2008.

"Law enforcement has a general distrust for people who use marijuana
for any purpose, so law enforcement has resisted the medical
marijuana act," said attorney Neil Rockind, who's representing
co-defendant Matthew Miller.

The co-defendants face up to four years in prison if convicted.
William Teichman is also charged with felony firearm. He faces a
mandatory two-year prison term if convicted.