Pubdate: Sat, 1 Jan 2011
Source: Daily Tribune, The (Royal Oak, MI)
Copyright: 2011 The Daily Tribune
Contact:  http://www.dailytribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1579
Authors: Catherine Kavanaugh and Michael P. McConnell, Daily Tribune 
Staff Writers
Note: Relevant part of a longer article.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Michael+Bouchard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Jessica+Cooper

MARIJUANA TOP 2010 LOCAL STORIES

Medical Marijuana Raids

Oakland County Sheriff's narcotics agents raided a medical marijuana 
dispensary in Ferndale and another in Waterford Township Aug. 25 and 
owners and employees were charged with violating the state's medical 
marijuana act.

About 16 people were arrested who were connected with the Clinical 
Relief dispensary in Ferndale and Everybody's Cafe in Waterford.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the defendants sold pot 
to people without proper ID. County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper joined 
Bouchard for a news conference after the raids.

Authorities claim the state law, which allows registered patients and 
caregivers a limited number of marijuana plants, does not allow 
operating dispensaries. The raids were seen by many as a way for 
county authorities to build a test case on the pot law.

Nine defendants in the Ferndale raid are awaiting a decision from 
Ferndale 43rd District Judge Joseph Long on whether the case will go 
to Oakland County Circuit Court for trial in early 2011.

Michigan's marijuana law has left cities, patients, police and even 
the courts locked in unresolved disputes over what the voter-approved 
law allows.

Adding to the confusion, marijuana possession or use of any kind is 
still prohibited under federal law, which supersedes state laws. The 
federal Drug Enforcement Agency is currently seeking patient records 
of seven people in the Lansing area from the state Department of 
Community Health which is bound by confidentiality laws. The feds say 
the records are needed as part of a DEA drug probe and the conflict 
is expected to end up in court.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake