Pubdate: Mon, 19 Dec 2011
Source: Jackson Citizen Patriot (MI)
Copyright: 2011 Jackson Citizen Patriot
Contact: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/jacitpat/letters/index.ssf
Website: http://www.mlive.com/jackson/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1190
Author: Aaron Aupperlee, Jackson Citizen Patriot 

UNDERCOVER POLICE BOUGHT MARIJUANA FROM JACKSON, LANSING DISPENSARIES
WITHOUT EVER SEEING A DOCTOR, COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW

Undercover police officers bought marijuana from HydroWorld stores in
Jackson and Lansing without ever seeing a doctor or registering with
the state, according to court documents filed Friday.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is suing Danny Trevino, owner
of three medical marijuana dispensaries, claiming the businesses
violate the state's medical marijuana act and are a public nuisance.

Similar lawsuits were filed in the Jackson County Circuit Court and
Ingham County Circuit Court on Friday. Jackson Circuit Court Judge
Richard LaFlamme set an initial pre-trial hearing for March 23 with a
trial to start in April, according to court documents. No dates have
been set for Ingham County proceedings. Joy Yearout, a spokeswoman for
the attorney general's office, expects action on the cases before the
March date.

The lawsuits describe similar undercover operations conducted by
Michigan State Police officers. On Sept. 7, an undercover officer went
into the Jackson HydroWorld location, 834 N. West Ave., to obtain a
medical marijuana certificate under the state program, court records
show. The officer completed an information packet and paid a
HydroWorld employee $70.

Three weeks later, the officer returned and received a completed
packet signed by Dr. Vernon E. Proctor, a physician in Baldwin,
according to court documents. The officer never provided medical
records and never had contact with Proctor, the lawsuit claims.
Proctor did not return calls for comment Monday.

On Sept. 28, the officer bought marijuana from HydroWorld, "even
though he did not possess a valid registration card," court records
indicate. The next day, state police officers and members of the
Jackson Narcotics Enforcement Team raided HydroWorld locations in
Jackson and Lansing.

Officers conducted a similar operation in Lansing at Trevino's
locations on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and W. Barnes Avenue.
Between April 26 and Sept. 28, officers registered for medical
marijuana at the HydroWorld stores.

Though the officers supplied no medical records and never met with a
doctor, all received completed forms signed by Proctor, according to
court records. The officers bought marijuana from the Lansing
locations several times.

Efforts to reach Trevino have not been successful. After the September
raids, he denied any allegations his business violated the law.
Detective First Lt. Timothy Gill, commander of the Michigan State
Police First District Drug Task Force Section, said Monday the
investigation is on-going and further legal action against Trevino is
possible.

HydroWorld in Jackson remained open on Monday. The lawsuits have no
immediate effect but seek to have the businesses closed, the buildings
padlocked for a year, the drugs destroyed and anything inside removed
and sold, according to court documents. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.