POT CLINIC OWNER PLEADS GUILTY

Sean Erhard, Who Operated Your Three M Center, Faced Charges of
Marijuana Sales and Delivery

ST. JOSEPH - A Berrien Springs man who managed a business that helped
people get state medical marijuana cards has pleaded guilty to three
felony drug charges.

Sean Erhard, 43, appeared in Berrien County Trial Court on Wednesday
to plead guilty to two counts of marijuana delivery and one count of
illegal sale of medical marijuana.

Because he pleaded guilty as a habitual offender with three prior
felony convictions, Erhard faces up to 15 years in prison for
conviction on each of the charges, Prosecutor Arthur Cotter said.

Erhard is being held in the county jail pending sentencing on June
27.

He helped operate Your Three M Center on Niles Road in St. Joseph
Township, which closed after his arrest in April. The business
assisted people who were seeking medical marijuana cards by arranging
doctor examinations and helping with paperwork.

But Erhard was using the business and his home to sell marijuana,
police said.

He pleaded guilty to delivering marijuana to an undercover officer at
his residence on Range Line Road on March 9 and at Your Three M Center
on March 18 and April 12.

On April 13, Trial Court Judge John Dewane issued a preliminary
injunction closing the business under further order of the court.

The business already had been closed at that time by action of the
building owner, who evicted Erhard for a lease violation, Cotter said.

The original arrest warrant charged Erhard with multiple counts of
delivering and selling marijuana to undercover police officers.
Altogether he faced 17 counts, and 14 are to be dismissed as part of a
plea agreement.

He was originally charged with 14 counts alleging seven marijuana
sales, three at his home and four at Your Three M Center. Each of the
charges has two parts: second-offense marijuana delivery and
second-offense illegal sale of medical marijuana.

Three additional charges were filed later: two counts of
second-offense possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and a
charge of second-offense maintaining a drug house at Your Three M Center.

Under a 2008 law enacted following a voter initiative, people with
chronic pain, certain diseases or chronic medical conditions can apply
to get a card and use marijuana. Supporters say the drug can relieve
pain and provide other benefits.