Pubdate: Thu, 5 Mar 2009
Source: State Journal-Register (IL)
Copyright: 2009 The State Journal-Register
Contact:  http://www.sj-r.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425
Author: Rhys Saunders
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

NARCOTICS AGENTS RAID 'MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLUB'

A Springfield man's "medical marijuana club" was raided Wednesday 
night, less than 14 hours after he announced the club to the news media.

Springfield police raided a home in the 1100 block of North Third 
Street about 7 p.m. Wednesday and arrested Scott Carriere, 40, 
according to Deputy Chief Clay Dowis.

Carriere will be charged in connection with growing several marijuana 
plants inside the house, Dowis said, although police did not indicate 
how much was recovered.

Jail records Wednesday night indicate Carriere is being investigated 
on suspicion that he had between 30 and 500 grams of marijuana and 
had produced more than 50 plants.

About 15 minutes before narcotics agents raided Carriere's house, 
Carriere spoke by phone with a State Journal-Register reporter in 
defense of his club, which he said charged membership fees.

Carriere claimed he believed the operation, which opened Monday, was 
legal. Carriere said the club had three members, although he did not 
disclose their names.

"You pay your membership fees, and the marijuana is actually free," 
Carriere said. "I don't charge for the marijuana at all. It's medicine."

During the interview, Carriere said police had been harassing him 
earlier Wednesday night. Two cars that left his house between 6 p.m. 
and 7 p.m. were stopped and one was searched, he told the reporter.

"It just seems like the police are not listening to this at all," he 
said. "The U.S. attorney last week said they would not prosecute for 
medical marijuana. If he's allowing one state to prescribe it, it 
recognizes the use of it."

"I want a legal business of distributing medicine," Carriere said. "I 
don't want to be out selling pot."

Carriere did not elaborate on his claim that a U.S. attorney had said 
there would be no prosecution for medical marijuana.

A spokeswoman for central Illinois U.S. Attorney Rodger Heaton said 
Heaton has made no such statement.

Carriere said the only stipulation to join his club was that members 
had to sign a form indicating they would use the drug only for 
medicinal purposes. The form also indicated the members agreed to 
allow Carriere to grow marijuana for them.

Carriere also claimed to have paid $27 to obtain a business permit 
from Sangamon County.

Carriere said he grew plants based on patients' needs.  The amount 
varied from week to week, he said, but the amount grown never 
exceeded more than four to five plants at a time.

"I grow plants that are half an ounce each," he said.  "They're 
little bitty plants."

Carriere said he has been using marijuana for 12 years.  A California 
doctor previously recommended it to relieve back spasms, he said.

[sidebar]

CARRIERE'S E-MAIL TO THE NEWS MEDIA ABOUT HIS 'MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLUB'

Sent at 5:33 a.m. Wednesday:

"I have opened a medical marijuana club in Springfield. I just wanted 
you to know. It is currently being run out of my residence. The 
address is (he gave an address in the 1100 block of North Third 
Street). I am accepting customers and suppliers. Thank you.

"P.S. I have filed the paperwork at the courthouse under my name and 
address, the name of the business is Medical Marijuana Compassionate 
caregivers Club." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake