Stwart Jenssen

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.

I was previously taking Lexapro for my major depression, but once I started having panic attacks, my doctor switched me to Zoloft. So far, the panic is gone, and my depression has similarly been suppressed. The only problem seems to be the side effects. I can't really eat that much anymore, and have succeeded in losing a fair amount of weight. I also have the &quot;shakes&quot; where my hands tremble. Though, as other people have said, the effectiveness of the medicine outweighs the side effects. <a href="http://goo.gl/vr1IT" rel='nofollow'>http://goo.gl/vr1IT</a>

Mr Blue

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.

Hypocrite Conservatives. Activist Judges. Fascist Cops.

4mytown

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:55 p.m.

As for the possibility of future raids in Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Police Chief Barnett Jones declined to comment. &quot;I'm not going to comment because I don't know what the new current law is and I don't know what's going to come up in the future,&quot; he said. I think our police chief should know what the current law is by now, or at least say that his department is not spending their time looking for cases to prosecute. It's a bit unnerving to hear that our city police chief, who makes $100K, does not know what the law says. Maybe his quote was taken out of context.

4mytown

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:39 p.m.

I am not a marijuana user nor do I condone its recreational use, but since when do our police officers wear masks? I know they need to protect themselves against retribution, but the black masks are a step in the wrong direction. We are not dealing with the Mafia, are we? Where were these clinics sourcing their marijuana - was it from legal approved sources or from illegal ones?

John Chase

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 5:44 a.m.

As long as the legislature and enforcers - including the judiciary - can build careers and stock portfolios by enforcing, this kind of thing will continue. Until then, patients will get their pot just like the rest of us: Either on the street or grow it yourself.

BigLover

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 5:04 a.m.

I would wager that many of the &quot;law and order&quot; type folks that have commented here are the same folks that &quot;want government off their backs&quot;. Should we specifically legislate every action that is prohibited? I hope none of you spit on a sidewalk, or throw your cigarette buts out the window of your truck. Lets say smoking cannabis is bad for you, lets say it makes you stupid. So is drinking Budweiser and watching Faux News! They are victimless crimes. What do you care? Oh yeah but we have to be tough! Why don't you show the same sense of moral indignation at the jerks that brought down this economy? Oh yeah, you want government off our backs, regulation is BAD, I almost forgot... Unless of course you are throwing abortion doctors or medical cannabis caregivers in jail. Then the regulations are great and you want more of them. You don't want smaller government, you want righteous government! You want to legislate your morality. Make up your tiny minds! You cant have it both ways.

Snarf Oscar Boondoggle

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:19 a.m.

&quot;Michigan State Police drug investigators raided 2 medical marijuana dispensaries in Ann Arbor (Thursday) today, but said the raids had nothing to do with a state appeals court ruling Wednesday that prohibits dispensaries from selling marijuana.&quot; jackbooted liars!

BigLover

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2:19 a.m.

To anyone who things this is a good use of your local federal and state tax dollars, go drink a bud lite and watch the new episode of Jersy Shore. It should be right at your level. This is a political witch hunt, plain and simple. Law enforcement has likely violated the medical rights of patients. Of course there will be hateful ignorant unhappy people that say things like &quot;good shut them down&quot; or &quot;enforce the laws&quot; while the fat cats that brought down our economy and bankrupt old ladies pensions sail around in their yachts and rape hotel maids. This is the state of &quot;law enforcement&quot; in this country. WAKE UP! You think this raid improved the community? You think closing down successful businesses treating sick people with one of the safest drugs known to man is a positive thing? Do you know what the ratio is between the therapeutic dose of THC is versus the toxic dose? I don't know it off the top of my head either, but I do know that no one has physically been able to kill themselves with cannabis. How many people die every day from legal over the counter drugs. How many families are ruined by alcohol or pills? This is just ridiculous, and the fight is only just begun. The thugs that run Michigan government have started a battle that they will lose. - Peace

Lynn

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2:17 a.m.

Hey come visit ann arbor apparently you can get away with robbing banks, you can get away with rape. But apparently taking the rights away of hard working citizens who appreciate doing things legally is more important use of police time and resources. Give the power back to the black market and the criminals. Forget what the people vote for. Brilliant Idea that will make us all safer. Ann Arbor &amp; Michigan I am dissapointed in you, powers that be I seem to have lost faith in you. Clearly there is a lack of integrity and union.

tim

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.

Boo whoo whoo-- life is tough for a stoner

MWH

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:39 a.m.

The breaking point is near... I hope everyone is ready. I'm not referring solely to the legal pot issue, but civil rights in general. By the way, I do believe pot should be legal. I also think that pot can be abused, just like anything else. However, I believe that prescription drug abuse is a far, far bigger problem in our society. This, and the crap that most people call food, will be our undoing.

NewStart

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:27 a.m.

Bummaaaaah!

Olan Owen Barnes

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:20 a.m.

&quot;As a side note, the FDA, DEA and the Office of National Drug Control Policy do not support the use of smoked marijuana for medical purposes.&quot; <a href="http://drug.addictionblog.org/medical-marijuana-cards-top-10-medical-conditions-people-can-fake/" rel='nofollow'>http://drug.addictionblog.org/medical-marijuana-cards-top-10-medical-conditions-people-can-fake/</a> &quot;How people abuse the medical marijuana system Logically, medical conditions must be sufficiently debilitating before a doctor will sign off permission for someone to receive (or grow) marijuana to treat illness. But some conditions are subject to interpretation or can even be faked. Although medical conditions must be of a certain degree of seriousness and/or limit the ability of a patient to perform daily activities, doctors CAN make a subjective decision that favors the patient. But which medical conditions may be subject to interpretation? Medical conditions that people may claim to get medical marijuana 1. Hair loss 2. Dry skin 3. Ligament or tendon pain 4. Anxiety 5. Muscle spasms 6. Loss of appetite 7. Severe pain 8. Severe nausea 9. Arthritis 10. Migraine headache&quot; I had a diagnosis of liver cancer in 2005 and had a liver transplant and never had to need to smoke weed. There is nothing in the law to set up dispensary's and it is deficient and lacks clarity.

Terry Star21

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.

What is wrong with vast majority of the commenters here ? Ream and his operations broke the law, and the officers did their job. It doesn't matter how much good Ream did for his patients and the pain he prevented them, he broke the law - plain and simple. Even if one complains it's a poor law and no one is being hurt, it's the law. Can you imagine what America would be like, allowing laws to be broken ? If you don't like the law, do something legal to fight it. If you win, then you proceed with your operation. You can't defy a law, saying it's an improper law. Ream defied the law and was busted. Thank God we live in American, follow American Laws, and have American Law Officers that enforce these Laws to help and protect us Americans. God Bless America. Note: I won't be coming back here to read replies, judging from the above commenters there are too many idiots out there - and I won't stoop to their level.

Olan Owen Barnes

Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:08 a.m.

There is nothing in the law about a dispensary to get the drug of choice so the law is deficient and unenforceable as the ballot proposal was not written in such a way as to make it clear. With no clarity there is no such thing as a store / dispensary you can buy the drug to get high by a script by a Doctor Feel Good.

LeLe

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 11:43 p.m.

ANOTHER sad day in Michigan. These people have jumped through hoops to have these businesses. Their clients have also had to have years of documented illnesses to become "registered" with the state of Michigan and to be issued an identification card, along with the paperwork and fees to abide the law. VOTERS no longer have voting power. I AM APPALLED BY OUR SO CALLED LEADERS!!

Justwhen

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 11:39 p.m.

Justwhen I thought Ann arbor coud not get any more dangerous i.e. (rapist running free) the police get card blanch to raid mm clinics. For the record I do not smoke marihauna. I happen to know many &quot;real&quot; patients who do smoke. I work for a legitmate doctor. There are many many patients who get relief from pain. I know some people choose not to believe this truth. It is only because of ignorance and politics that these people are negative. Ignore them. The truth has been proven. Now back to the &quot;raids&quot; WT ___ is going on. I as a women am afraid to be alone on the streets of Ann Arbor, but the prosecutor and the police have resources to &quot;raid&quot; medical marihauna clinics! This is medicine!! The rapist is still at large why weren't the funds allocated for a &quot;raid&quot; allocated to search for the rapist? Remember him? The guy who violating someone's sister, aunt,, daughter, mother, friend student etc. As for those who applaude the police shame on you. There are much bigger problems to focus on. The people spoke when they voted. Are any of you afraid that the rights of voters was taken away by &quot;three&quot;. That is far scarier than a mm despensary!!!! So boo to A2 politicians, who in my opinion could not wait for this to happen. Republicans are for small business, YEAH RIGHT! You have created unemployment and a loss of revenue and taxes to the city and state. More importantly you have assured that sick peopleuffer! Good Job!

Nick

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.

The severe penalties they will be charging employees with is more then cruel and with the City vote on medicinal cannabis in 2004 just plain wrong . To see these employees that are usually very sick people and qualified patients who were attempting to aid the medical cannabis movement and patients taken away brings me to tears. Especially when their are no laws in Michigan to protect patients by ensuring they receive and medications and personal needs while incarerated . The AG was the leader of opposition to medical cannabis and he simply is not able to properly implement a workable program . His mind is closed to every solution that is in the best interests of patients and affordabillity . There are 17 States and DC now with some form of legal medical cannabis . This isn't optional for the patients that benefit suffering on the fringe of insanity with nothing but nature between them and death .The concepts of the extremists who sadly have taken over the Michigan Municiple League , the U of M , with everyone having to cower or be mowed over have everyone terrified . You cannot get a recommendation from Doctors with hospital affiliaitions they are threatened and or scared by pressure from the DEA , Federal Funding etc . Even if you do not need cannabis you should support those that do and State rights over Federal before it is too late . Your next .

G. Orwell

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 11:05 p.m.

Wachovia Bank gets caught laundering $372 billion in drug monies, get a slap on the wrist. Dispensaries provide a proven medical service to those in need, faces financial ruin and jail time. Dispensaries should have been laundering drug money rather than selling MM.

RJA

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.

Guess I am a minority, Great Job, to all law enforcements involved. Those protesting must all be users. CLOSE and LOCK all of them. (BURN IT!) Those that are sick and think they are dying, consult with your doctor. Lay off more police? Got to be kidding! For anyone not liking Lawnet as they are dressed, go out there and raid the places yourself in street clothes.

Sadie1951

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 10:42 p.m.

Not only is this a waste of resources, and undermining one of the few emerging industries in a failed economy, but a disservice to sick people. Sick people that you work with, carpool with, and share your neighborhood with. They are not hippies, pot-heads or criminals. Dispensaries provide specific strains for specific illnesses that patients can't always obtain elsewhere. Not all patients smoke and to those of you that ask, &quot;how can anything smoke be medicine?&quot; I will tell you. Oral tinctures, topical salves and ointments, along with cannabis infused edible goods. Often times these can only be purchased at dispensaries and without them you will be forcing people to smoke in order to get their relief, or leave them without access at all. Regardless of your political agenda, please do not punish the sick and dying. -deeply shocked and concerned with the shameful behavior of my home state and city.

Woman in Ypsilanti

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.

This is an outrage. Why are we still wasting money busting people for marijuana. Enough is enough. We need to vote these clowns out of office.

D

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 10:32 p.m.

what you card holders gonna do now? time to spread those mi bucks around to a more diverse crowd is how i see this. oh, and the price of real dank just got bumped up!

Mr. Ed

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 10:22 p.m.

Medical marijuana is a joke. People hid behind the law to smoke for pleasure, we the voters did not vote for that. Stop hiding behind a poorly written law.

rulieg

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.

there are just so many things wrong with this decision: -med marihuana was one of the only successful businesses in Michigan! yeah quick--shut it down. it might bring in some money and help with our budget problems. -people spent real money setting up those businesses. will they now join the ranks of the foreclosed? happy days ahead for the Michigan housing market, I see. -for every stoner hippie who got his medical card just to get high, there were probably 10 people with cancer, MS, glaucoma, chronic pain, and a host of other real medical ailments who were being helped...and who can no longer legally get their medicine. yes! let's make more criminals. our jails aren't crowded enough. from John Sinclair's 10 years for 2 joints right up to this decision, we sure have a proud heritage of sensible drug policy in this state, don't we?

goosenews

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 10:06 p.m.

I hope I'm on the jury if this goes to trial. Kind of hard to respect the AAPD when they act like this. ps It amazes me how the moderators act on these comment pages. I guess slang is not allowed. pps Canceling home delivery of paper right now

T Del

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:59 p.m.

To those who wonder why the Postal Service was involved, I say that they may have taken payments via mail or used Credit Cards to process their transactions. Wire Fraud. This may be the Federal Crime that chasing after. On another note, we can complain about the thuggery and disrespect for the voters will all we want. It will accomplish nothing. we have two avenues: 1. Jury Nullification - If juries fail to find defendants guilty of the offense regardless of the physical evidence, prosecutors will no longer bring these to trial and by extension, raids will no longer be done because the end result would be nothing. Pass this to all, as you may be on a jury for this and you have the duty as a citizen to inform and educate your fellow jurors on their duty. It would take millions of votes to change this at the ballot box, but as a juror it only takes 12 to start real change. <a href="http://www.rmcortes.com/books/jury/Jury-Illustrated.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://www.rmcortes.com/books/jury/Jury-Illustrated.pdf</a> 2. Ballot Initiative to Amend - We could organize a ballot initiative much like the original proposition. An initiative to define Caregivers - Primary and Secondary as well as the role of dispensaries as Secondary Caregivers would be ideal. I vote for Jury Nullification and a Ballot initiative as well. Sept. 7 - At the Capitol....See ya There!

Roadman

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:58 p.m.

Local medical marijuana activists should petition the Mayor and City Council at the next public commentary period to complain about the shabby and unprofessional treatment dished out to Chuck Ream and others today. They should also demand of both Mayor Hieftje and Sheriff Jerry Clayton that their officers and deputies be withdrawn from the LAWNET unit operated under the auspices of the Michigan State Police. Were the search warrants referenced in the article authorized by the office of Prosecutor Brian Mackie? If so, they should send their protest to the office of the County Prosecutor over the raids. This smells of a political witch hunt targeting poor Chuck Ream.

RayA2

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.

Thank you Michigan State Police for bringing some sanity to Ann Arbor!. I know that building a case against these out of state drug lords takes time but it is much appreciated. The complainers are those most in need of this action.

rulieg

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.

so let's review, shall we? -first there was a ballot proposal for medical marijuana. WE THE PEOPLE voted overwhelmingly in favor of it--every single county in Michigan voted for it, even Grand Rapids, for goshsakes! -then 3 random judges (and not all Republicans either, people) decided to subvert the will of the people by arbitrarily pulling the plug on the law. so I have to ask: why do we vote? clearly our vote doesn't mean anything if it can be overturned so easily. so why do we bother doing it? Mr. AG Bill Schuette, who I mistakenly voted for...you call yourself a &quot;conservative&quot;? conservatives do not believe in government messing in your private life. conservatives do not believe in litigating away voters' rights. next time why don't you run on a party that aligns more with your view of privacy--like maybe the American Communist Party?

bigblue

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.

here's the real sad irony here. the most serious crime that occurs in ann arbor is rape. about every 20 years or so some serial rapist comes to town. right now is one of those times. shame on ann arbor for allowing this raid to go on while a serial rapist(s) is on the loose. ann arbor should be ashamed of itself for allowing this raid to go on. the voters have spoken before and they should speak again.

al

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:28 p.m.

As someone who suffers from chronic back pain after surgery, two nerve blocks, at least 60 spinal shots and medical costs of near $100,000 most paid by insurance I rebut the claims of those few who think this is a hippies law. Being able to go from 4 vicodin a day and one flexeral to 1 vicodin a day and no treatments since I started using MJ as medicine and being able to sleep at night is not a hippies delight but pain relief and great medical expense savings for my health insurance provider. I have less sick days with back problems and thus more productive in my services to clients. If I can't get the relief envisioned by the people of the State of Michigan I would expect going back to 6 shots per year and nerve blocks at costs of approx $10,000 per year. I'll have my off days when I can't work causing more economic injuries when we can't afford anymore. Remember when you do vote not to vote for those acting against the peoples wishes including Judges. prosecutors Atty Gen and governor. When did the country founded By the People , for the People and of the people get so scewered?

MsCochise

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.

All dispensaries as of &quot;Yesterday&quot; should file a complaint with the AG office to refund their money for application fees and licensing. Seeing as how this was a setup to begin with.

bluecollar

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.

These cops must be really dumb. Why would an undercover narcotics officer want to conceal his idenity? Is it so you won't recognize him when he's buying weed from you? That's the dummest thing I ever heard. It's easy to bag on these cops, when the target audience of this thead is a bunch of pot heads. How quick everyone is to judge based on the small blurb this article provides. The police should check with each and every one of you before it enforces any laws in the future. Whens the last time we heard about the rapist striking. Seems to me there havent been any other incidents to report. Is it possible he left town, or is in jail for another crime. You're right the police budget should be cut. Maybe we as tax payers should demand that they fire the entire department, Apparently they don't pay any taxes and can't be grouped into the &quot;tax payer&quot; pool. Why don't we have the transients, youth or any of you police our streets? Seems the common theme here is it's an easy good paying job. When that day happens and lawlessness takes over our society, may god help you cowards as you cower in the corner. AAPD I'm glad for all you do. Keep up the good work. Too bad you have more haters than supporters in this city.

Bear

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.

Once again, LAWNET is trying to justify it's existence and keep itself funded. This is BS. Over 35 years ago, LAWNET formed and stated that &quot;it would clean up the drugs in the area within 20 years.&quot; In that time, they have been used mostly in the war against Marijuana. You don't hear jack about them busting cocaine, heroin, opium or any hard drugs. You just hear about them knocking over pot dealers. And they don't even get that right. Their own statistics show they are successful in only about 40% of their raids (and most of those are small busts of the little guys). This is an enormous waste of resources to support a paramilitary police team comprised of mostly thugs, irreverent and insulting to those whose homes they bust into and find what they call &quot;A dry hole&quot;. It is time to put THESE rogue police units out of business, they do more harm to the community than they do good.

xmo

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.

Wow, Maybe these people were Conservatives arrested by the Obama Police!

catA2

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.

As long as Big Pharma and Insurance Companies are not getting paid and as long as the huge profits of &quot;illegal drugs&quot; are in effect as well as the billions of dollars made from privatized prisons, small groups of herbs that soothe people and make life a little softer will be shut down. I still like to believe that informed voters that understand what is happening stay calm, thoughtful and vote.

Davidian

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.

This is unbelievable. There is a SERIAL RAPIST on the loose in Ann Arbor, and they are worried about marijuana? Those of us who have ever smoked marijuana--likely the majority of the populace these days-- know that this is just the biggest, most incredulous waste of resources imaginable. People have been using it for thousands of years, and all the laws in the world won't stop anyone. Ever. The Ann Arbor Police Department should apologize to the citizens and cease these &quot;raids&quot; immediately.

WalkingJoe

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.

After reading the article and most of the comments I can only shake my head and say &quot;no comment&quot; because if I do it will only be removed.

eastsidemom

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.

wow...maybe we should all take a look a the new Ken Burns Prohibition...see where all that lead...crime and crime bosses. Doh!

G. Orwell

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:35 p.m.

What's with the black ski masks? Is this what a police state looks like. Why don't they arrest the real criminals and leave law abiding citizens alone. Voters have spoken and servants should serve.

rusty shackelford

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.

@many commenters: this raid was conducted by state cops, not AAPD. That said, city council needs to pass a resolution condemning these raids immediately. It should also instruct AAPD not to cooperate with any similar raids in the future.

Joe Kidd

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.

&quot;Ream said the raid was a disservice to voters who approved making medical marijuana legal in Michigan.&quot; It seems most comments here are critical of the investigation into these businesses. However if those that promotes MJ as a medicine are truly serious, which many of us doubt, why wouldn't you support closing dispensaries that are violating the law as passed by the voters? Obviously these dispensaries are violating the law. Anyone in support of prescribing MJ as a medicinal substance should insist they conduct their business like they are supposed to. If they are violating the statute that supports the opinion of a lot of us that this medicinal claim is false and this is just a way to deal drugs illegally. So why is there not more comments that these guys got what they deserve if in fact they did violate the law?

nickcarraweigh

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.

Masked police? What is this, Chile? El Salvador? Surely the police aren't actually feeling the shame they should.

leaguebus

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:06 p.m.

After reading the Attorney Generals statement, if this is just a public nuisance, why send in the police to confiscate everything? It would seem to me that a simple phone call would have done the trick. I, too, think that they might be going after the end users through the records. I am really tired of being ruled by dogmatic right wingers. It seems like an eternity that they have been in power, but its only been a year. Please vote your displeasure in the next election.

Joe Cain

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:05 p.m.

A gentle man, Chuck Ream, has been led away in chains. His crime, trying to help the sick. I know Chuck, he is a good man. I fail to see how society is any safer or how justice has been served. It does illustrate how warped Bill Schuette is. These raids are in response to an bought and paid for appeals court decision. The decision stated that patients couldn't sell their medication to each other. The voters initiative that 63% of the voters approved, said that they could. The instant impact of this decision was to deny tens of thousands of patients access to their medicine. Even as I write this comment, hundreds of terminal cancer patients are screaming in agony as their disease takes it's natural course and destroys their bodies. Many of these patients were kicked off opiates by their doctors when they chose medical marijuana. Other patients have had their liver destroyed by their cancer so their livers can't process opiates. Marijuana does not depend on the liver. It is metabolized via the lungs and is absorbed in a matter of seconds. So these poor people are suffering needlessly, so an heir to the Dow Fortune(Bill Schuette), can have the law his way. You see folks, in Bills world, you are the little people. He is determined to be your governor or the VP. He will do whatever it takes to put you in your place, if you get in his way. He knows what this decision meant to patients, because we have told him hundreds of time. Yet here he is celebrating his victory. The people did not intend for patients to be punished by power mongers or by corrupt judges, but to be protected from the government. Believe me folks, I am one of the sick and dying, there is nothing more personal and private, than the process of dying. I ask that you join us on September 7th, on the front steps of the capitol, in Lansing,Mi, to tell the politicians and tyrants to back off and let the sick die on peace.

Terry Calhoun

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.

Thanks, Nerd Rick, Culture Warrior. I thought you were about jobs. Culture wars do play well in Republican primaries., I guess. It's clear that's what the ones in Washington are doing, too. Meanwhile, in hard hit Michigan, Republicans are telling county sheriffs that it's time to put thousands more people out of work by closing their workplaces, which just happen to be in the fastest-growing piece of Michigan's economy.

Mr Blue

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.

Postema and Barnett must go.

Blue

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.

I wish the police department would find a real problem to deal with. They will never win this battle they continue to wage against pot smokers. Never. How long will it take for them to understand that?

Mr Blue

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.

There was once a time in this nation when anyone could do what laws did not specifically prohibit and law enforcement could only prohibit and enforce what the law allowed. Dispensaries are only &quot;illegal&quot; because Scheutte says so and not by any law passed by the Michigan legislature or voted on by the people.

Sciomanone1

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.

This is wonderful, I am so glad that the Ann Arbor Police is doing a good Job to get rid of the Medical Marijuana, it is a drug there is nothing Medical about smoking anything, that is such a joke for the people to say the word Medical with smoking, the smell is enough to make anyone sick and more sick. It is just wrong for the people to be selling the drugs, I hope they are all arrested and closed down for good. NO real Doctor would say smoking is good for your health. Good work Ann Arbor Police, another Job well done.

candygirl

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.

@ America: Obviously you STILL don't get that YOU are in the minority. Nobody is going to agree on any law 100%, but have you been reading all the comments? You an a few others oppose marijuana. Good for you! However, as you see, most people don't. That is why the law passed.

Kitty

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.

LAWNET is a huge waste of taxpayer money and really does nothing to reduce drugs or crime.

America

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.

Police enforcing the law is never a waste of time. It is shameful that there are so many people in what I think of as a family friendly community posting in favor of blatant law breaking and get upset when the law is enforced. I can only assume it is the addiction talking. Glad to see the sanity of our law enforcement and legal system (reference yesterday's unrelated but wonderful ruling) getting back on track and taking the correct actions.

Gill

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.

If we want to balance the State budget and increase tourism, the State should make marijuana sales legal, if bought from the State. Maybe sell at the park entrance booths to increase Park visits...

Kitty

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.

Should of known the place on packard was a goner, it reeked with weed

Kitty

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.

medical marijuana pleeeeeeeeeeeze in ann arbor, just a way for these hippies to get their high on after Hash Bash

AA

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.

Absolutely Disgusting. Makes me want to holler and throw up both my hands. Disgusting. Shame on law enforment, the judiciary and anyone else involved in this tragic waste of time and resources.

Some Guy in 734

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.

&quot;but said the raids had nothing to do with a state appeals court ruling Wednesday that prohibits dispensaries from selling marijuana.&quot; Uh huh. And I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. I'll let you have it cheap, because reconstruction still isn't finished.

bigblue

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.

LAWNET is a huge waste of taxpayer money and really does nothing to reduce drugs or crime. most of their &quot;investigations&quot; centered around busting a crack head and then getting him to buy from the dealer. taking a bite out of crime a 20 rock of cocaine at a time...LOL.. the whole ski mak thing is just a facade to justify their need for existence in thier own minds. anything that looked like a &quot;major&quot; drug gang in washtenaw county was taken down by the FEDS not LAWNET. if the budget is such a big deal in Michigan then get rid of LAWNET and save the taxpayers some money. washtenaw county is not the dangerous place that LAWNET tries to make it out to be. they are not needed!

Brian M.

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.

Medical marijuana dispensaries aren't legal under current Michigan law. Read the law. They are not legal. This is not surprising. There are legal ways to obtain medical marijuana through a one-to-one relationship between patient and grower, but the dispensaries are not legal to my understanding. Again, this is not surprising.

George1984

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.

In regards to Basic Bob's question: You can phone or email Brian Mackie at the Washtenaw County Prosecutors office - (734) 222-6620 appeals@ewashtenaw.org. If anyone would like to make their voice heard about your frustration with this abuse of power and resources, this is the office to start with.

TruthIsEternal

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:59 p.m.

It's a good thing that the Police are able to rob legitamate businesses, thanks to our Attorney General, Bill Schuette. Prohibitionists need to stop their failed policy; it didn't work for alcohol, it's not going to work for anything else... GOOOO Fascism!!!!!!

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.

Has anyone considered why postal Inspectors were involved? Could it be these places were not just selling to local &quot;patients?&quot; The postal police do not perform enforcement of federal law in general, they enforce postal laws. If this was simply an anti-dispensary effort, you would see the FBI. My guess is that this has more to do with items sent through the mail illegally.

Dan Payne Jr.

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.

so there mister mayor and police cheif of ann arbor what happend to the rapist that the FBI was brought to town to find? If you ask me i think my tax dollars are been wasted going after marijuana instead of finding a sick freak. Yet there are tons of bars around town where people have 2 drinks and then drive home which is breaking the law but yet as soon as you get a chance you bust down the doors. The last time i checked drinking and driving kills one person every 30 mins so its like 16,000 every year but yet i can go get bombed and ya year in jail and fines blah blah blah. But yet marijuana has never killed anyone instead it helps people and yet you old folks and politians don't see that but if you were sick you'd be the first to say pass that jib. I feel it should be as legal as alcohol with the same restrictions and tax. Tha way you police officers can do real police work instead of busting people over a dime bag and writting stupid traffic tickets.

thinker

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 Controlled drug by the DEA, for those drugs that have the highest addictive potential. That is a fact. Law enforcement has to act on that. When medical marihuana was voted in, it was assumed that it would be prescribed on a controlled substance prescription form, by a physician who has a controlled-substance license. It was to be used for those patients with glaucoma, cancer, MS, etc, whose condition or pain could not be controlled any other way. The mushrooming of marihuana dispensaries and so-called physicians who are &quot;prescribing&quot; pot to those not in those categories, is despicable. As a physician, with a DEA license, I am appalled.

pissedoff

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.

What do you expect from a bunch of grown boys playing dress up in black ski mask's?? They obviously don't know how to do real police work. Thats why we still have a rapist and a few bank robbers running around town. What a complete embarrassment to AA resident's!

Ryan J. Stanton

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:46 p.m.

From the AG's office yesterday: <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-164-46849-261211--,00.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-164-46849-261211--,00.html</a>

Chandelle German

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.

Let me guess what they will do with all the names that they find in the computer???? Oh ya its not over.....

Fatkitty

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.

To YpsiVeteran: &quot;... police said the raids had nothing to do with a state appeals court ruling Wednesday that prohibits sale of marijuana at dispensaries.&quot; &quot;.... the clinics were raided because they allegedly did not follow guidelines established for operating dispensaries. &quot; &quot;It's an ongoing investigation,&quot; she said. She said she did not know what was seized. The investigation has been under way for at least a couple of weeks, she said. &quot;Three people were arrested&quot;. Uh-Huh! Once you &quot;weed&quot; through the fluff, and get down to the facts (i.e., provided by Ann Arbor.com), it appears that perhaps some shady deals are the cause of all the commotion. NOTHING to do with yesterday's ruling.

bigblue

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:25 p.m.

LAWNET strikes again. i wonder if they beat anybody up? doesn't sound like anyone got shot though. which is a good thing considering LAWNET was involved.

Roadman

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.

Encourage City Council to cut the police budget again. The AAPD officers are earning over $80,000.00 per annum and non-union police Ann Arbor PD evidence technicians earn $48K per year. There are asst. county prosecutors in Mackie's office earning less than 60K per year. Overpaid, rude, and engaging in tactics like above. Lay 'em off and cut their pay during the next collective bargaining sessions. It'll get their attention.

Basic Bob

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:14 p.m.

I'm sure the LAWNET mystery men wore hoods so they couldn't be identified. That is their M.O., and if they are operating against a clandestine drug house, I understand. This was not the case here. Lt. Sturdivant should not have supported this field operation against a public business, even if it is found to involve illegal &quot;narcotics&quot; (Don't get me started on this, marijuana is not a narcotic like Oxycontin.) But seriously, I'd like to know who - *locally* - ordered the raids. Someone please post this info so I can call and write directly and express my displeasure with the way this was handled. This was a sad, shameful waste of police services. As much as I believe that LAWNET has a useful purpose, I will also ask my local municipality to withdraw their personnel and funding from future operations.

Dave66

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:14 p.m.

zigziggityzoo has it right. &quot;Police dressed in black and wearing masks&quot; when a simple knock on the door with a warrant would have been enough? If they're so ashamed of what they're doing they have to hide their faces, perhaps they should consider another line of work. Unless they *like* dressing up as jack-booted thugs and playing Gestapo. If they get off on that sort of thing, it's kind of creepy. Maybe they're like children on Halloween, and are playing make-believe? Maybe they like to pretend that they have a tough and scary job when taking medicine away from sick people on the mean streets of Ann Arbor.

theodynus

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.

LAWNET has to do something to justify its existence, right?

candygirl

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.

I am SO ashamed of my city and state. We voted. Law passed. Nuff said.

redwingshero

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:01 p.m.

To quote Clark Griswold's mother in-law: &quot;I hope you kids see what a waste of resources this is&quot; The day after the court decision, they didn't wait long did they? Sounds like A2PD has too much time on their hands. I thought there waws some suspected serial guy on the loose still.

Roadman

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:56 p.m.

This is obvious law enforcement overkill in response to a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling. I have to believe that the City Attorney's office was working in close coordination with the Ann Arbor P.D. to give the police the green light to commence high-profile raids against these business establishments. The execution of the raids smack of Gestapo tactics to harass honest businessmen trying to help medical marijuana patients. The manner in which these raids were carried out is appalling and the public should lodge protests forthwith to the Mayor's office and City Council.

Mike Belzer

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:54 p.m.

Obviously Ann Arbor does not need to spend so much funds on police. Time to cut the budget. If they don't have anything more important to do, then there's too many of them. Go chase a rapist, bank robber, or mugger; plenty of those around town these days, in case the AAPD hasn't noticed. I am amazed they are wasting public funds to support prohibition when there are real criminals to worry about.

YpsiVeteran

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:40 p.m.

Seems to me that if this business was operating in a way that was previously thought to be legal, and it turns out that, since yesterday, it is no longer legal, that a simple cease and desist order -- &quot;You are hereby notified you have 24 hrs. to end unauthorized sales...blah blah&quot; -- would have been a more reasonable and less expensive first move. If an order to knock it off was ignored, then an escalation of effort could have been employed. Of course, this is assuming the raids were related to yesterday's ruling, and not something else. The way this was conducted seems, based on the small amount of info available so far, to be quite ill-advised.

tommy_t

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.

They should have a stay on raids until this can be sorted out by the Mi Supremes . How many man hours on these easy targets compared to the raqpist hunt?

Not from around here

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.

I was watching some of the proceedings on TV. The Big sleevless guy who runs &quot;Big Daddy dispensary&quot; in Detroit just screams &quot;Medical Professionsl&quot;. Why not only allow it to be despensed at Pharmacys like other medication. I voted for this law and after seeing the people involved, I wish I could change my vote.

mun

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.

Gee, why does big gubmint have to regulate marijuana? Why can't we let the market forces work themselves out?

mun

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.

I bet the serial rapist is loving this, with the police focused on those &quot;dangerous&quot; dispensaries.

RuralMom

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.

Well since they are DEAF to the voters, remember this if you are given jury duty. All it takes if for juries to consistantly find people NOT GUILTY for this game to be OVER.

BC

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.

I feel safer now. And my pharmaceutical stocks just went up. Taxes well spent!

Stephanie

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.

This is so wrong it's ridiculous. I see absolutely NO reason why anyone should have arrested or anything taken out of the store. I just don't understand how they got away with this.

grye

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.

Good. Shut it down.

Corey Lord

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.

And so it begins....lets waste taxpayer money (ya know because financial efficiency is all the rage right now) to arrest a former township board member/former school teacher for something that over the past 3 years was talked about and debated. I don't even know where to begin on this but this is sickening. What has become of our country?? We're willing to use resources to attack non-violent citizens who are doing something thought to be legal instead of going after violent people. Hell I'd rather see the Ann Arbor police going out of jurisdiction to help out Detroit's violent problems than this. This is just sad folks.

Wolf's Bane

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.

BUZZ kill.

Fatkitty

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.

Chuck Ream, longtime medical marijuana advocate and partner in the business: &quot;Our patients are sick. We need the medicine and we need it now,&quot; Ream said. &quot;We praise the wisdom of the voters of Ann Arbor and know the voters of Ann Arbor are outraged to see their vote means nothing.&quot; Hmmmmm - I thought the law was pretty cut and dried (pardon the pun), that the &quot;state-registered patient&quot; would get the weed from their &quot;state-registered care-giver&quot;, not from a dispensary. Yet, from an earlier A2.com article: &quot;Michigan's law doesn't indicate how people who are allowed to use marijuana for medical purposes can get hold of supplies. It says they can possess up to 2.5 ounces of &quot;usable&quot; pot and keep up to 12 plants in a locked place. &quot; So is it a free-for-all? Is it regulated? Is someone getting RICH from their dispensary &quot;business&quot;? I guess it's all a matter of interpretation, who and where you are, and how bad you want/need the magic weed.

Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 5:02 p.m.

I can not help but wonder when the A2PD is ordered to undo this and return what they took by a higher court how much will turn up missing. This is going to weed out the good and bad in the A2PD. (Pun Intended)

Alan Goldsmith

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:57 p.m.

Weclome to the new era of Rick Snyder and his jackboot cabinet members. This is only the beginning...

rs

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:56 p.m.

3:1 odds those cops are in a basement right now playing X-Box, eating Cheetos and listening to Dark Side of the Moon.

West of Main

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:56 p.m.

The law enforcement officers who orchestrated this raid are nothing but thugs.

SpaceGirl

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:55 p.m.

This seems so stupid to me. The law was passed and communities have spent the time defining their ordinances to allow or disallow dispensaries in their communities. It seemed like things were working out just fine. Why is our court system trying reverse the will of the majority of voters? I completely agree that this just seems like a complete waste of taxpayer dollars and police resources. There are much more valuable things they could be doing! Can't they go bust some kids peddling ecstasy in the Diag or something? C'mon, let us be done with this authoritative pissing contest and get over it!

jennifer

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:54 p.m.

This is just wrong. There are so many violent crimes that are ignored. This is horrible for the business owners as well as the sick people who now have no access to their medicine!

emily

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:52 p.m.

I am ashamed of my government.

zigziggityzoo

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.

You know, the whole &quot;masks and all black&quot; SWAT look is good for some things... but I'd venture a guess that 95% of the time, a simple knock on the door with a warrant in-hand is enough. Commandos are necessary for armed and dangerous, not for hippies with hash.

deb

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.

Sounds like it is marijuananacht

Greggy_D

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:47 p.m.

I feel sooooo much safer AAPD. Ridiculous. Jack Booted Thuggery at its finest.

Brent

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.

They're raiding the one above Cafe Felix on Main St. right now too... 4 police vehicles and two unmarked vans.

Annie

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.

Why vote? The government will do what it pleases regardless.

ChrisW

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.

Obviously we have too many police officers in Ann Arbor if there's time for this kind of nonsense.

TrappedinMI

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.

I thought we passed this law! Let the people speak! Ridiculous!

Sarah

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.

What a ridiculous waste of time, money and resources.

Mark Hergott

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.

Seriously... let the police and prosecutors have their fun. Advocates will just use this authoritarian orgy and all the others as the reason to put the dispensary question on the ballot. Reasonable human beings have no problem with people buying dried plants in a store as long as all the paper work is filled out.

Chandelle German

Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 4:39 p.m.

Maybe they should try to find that rapist instead of jumping on the medical marijuana dispensaries.....Because they are &quot;such&quot; a threat to our community!