More than 70 marijuana plants seized at nail salon inside Meijer near Ann Arbor
The nail salon leases space on the second level of the Meijer store on Carpenter Road for its operations.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Police seized more than 70 marijuana plants early Tuesday morning from a nail salon inside the Meijer store on Carpenter Road in Pittsfield Township.
The Meijer store on Carpenter Road in Pittsfield Township.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
“When (store employees) were entering the area of the water leak, they saw what appeared to be a hydroponic water filter sitting outside of a closet,” said Deputy Chief Gordy Schick. Then artificial lighting also was spotted nearby, he added.
Police obtained a search warrant and seized growing equipment from the salon as well as the plants. Later in the morning, police also detained and questioned two employees before releasing them, Schick said. Police also seized some cash, he said
The search warrant was executed with the assistance of the Michigan State Police, LAWNET unit, Pittsfield Township police said in a press release. The investigation has been turned over to LAWNET.
Meijer officials are cooperating with Pittsfield Township police, Schick said.
A manager at the store who would not give his name said the store manager assigned to the midnight shift told him about the marijuana discovery when he arrived for work Tuesday morning. He said he had no additional comment.
The nail salon was closed late this morning.
Pittsfield Township records show the registered agent for the store is Tai Anh Nguyen.
News of the seizure came as a shock to patrons and a nearby business owner on Tuesday. “That’s crazy,” said Ypsilanti resident and Eastern Michigan student Leon Neely II. Neely, a regular Meijer shopper, said he was in the store on Tuesday morning, but didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. He said he’s never suspected US Nails of anything nor heard of any operation going.
“You must have had to know somebody who knew somebody to know about that,” Nelly II said.
Kal Farah, owner of the IHOP adjacent to the Meijer store, said he hadn’t heard about the bust before a reporter asked about it.
Stephanie Johnson, 46, of Ann Arbor said she’s had her nails done at U.S. Nails before. She said the quality of the work was low, but she never suspected any illegal activity.
AnnArbor.com reporter Pete Cunningham contributed to this story.
Comments
John Roos
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:16 a.m.
Best collection of comments for a story to date! Great work!
Ash
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 10:28 p.m.
Why did they call the police? I figure it's up to the garden center staff to take care of any weed problems.
Maksym Kloka
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
Wasn't the war on drugs a complete failure? ... why are we still wasting money on this. I was watching a commercial few weeks ago about some legal prescription medication ... the narrator mentioned death and heart failure as two of about twelve side-effects. I don't use marijuana or any other drugs, but why are we so concerned about a drug and has been proved to be safe to use even when you drive by Highway Safety Administration, good for your health (no joke) and completely medically safe?
Matt Cooper
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 3:18 a.m.
Check your information, because actually, the NHTSA proved exactly the opposite of your claims. From the NHTSA report (http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/research/job185drugs/cannabis.htm): Epidemiology data from road traffic arrests and fatalities indicate that after alcohol, marijuana is the most frequently detected psychoactive substance among driving populations. Marijuana has been shown to impair performance on driving simulator tasks and on open and closed driving courses for up to approximately 3 hours. Decreased car handling performance, increased reaction times, impaired time and distance estimation, inability to maintain headway, lateral travel, subjective sleepiness, motor incoordination, and impaired sustained vigilance have all been reported. Contrary to what you and a lot of other people think, MaryJane is not in fact a "safe" drug and has been empirically proven to be a serious contributor to traffic fatalities.
Tom Joad
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
Free electricity...or should I say Meijer customers footing the bill
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:55 a.m.
"it;s for a good cause ... "
Margaret
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
I'm hoping my local Walmart follows suite. I mean how funny is this ?! We need more laughs in the news anyway. Thanks for that U.S. Nails !!! TOO FUNNY !!
A2comments
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 4 p.m.
"Kal Farah, owner of the IHOP adjacent to the Meijer store, said he hadn't been heard about the bust before a reporter asked about it." The real question is did he see an increase in business from people that just had to have pancakes loaded with syrup "as fast as you can bring them"?
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
Aren't there folks trying to get marijuana legalized in Michigan in a more meaningful way? I am tired of this waste of resources and want to do something.
Gorc
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.
Curious if Meijers will surprise drug test their employees?
KAA
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 10:40 a.m.
Surely y'all aren't surpried & shocked, I can't imagine why if so...this is commonplace these days. I'm in no way condoning it,however, it's the norm there & everywhere for that matter. When I lived there, I think I was the only one that wasn't high lol! Working in the restaurant industry its a way of life, I'm sure this was a supply source for many of you. Next story please. I LOVE the comment below where somone asked if the sign outside the salon read hot stone massage or hot stoned massage, HILARIOUS!
sandalwood
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 6:51 a.m.
What it came to what they were doing was "hide in plain sight" I think! No matter what, it is stupid and funny all at the same time!!! :)
JustinHale
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 6:40 a.m.
First, an employee of Meijer went into the Nail Salon to investigate a water leak? Seriously? Did this employee have any right to enter the establishment? I'm guessing probably not unless it was in the lease terms. If a building owner leases space to an occupant, they have no right to enter the premises without the consent of the lessee or without the lessee being present. UNLESS it was written out in the lease terms to allow it. In which case, if you are growing 70 Cannabis plants in a spot like this... You'd be an idiot to sign it. So I am going to call this "tip off" B.S. and move on. Secondly, WHAT is a Hydroponic Water Filter? All materials that Cannabis growers use, are also used for all other vegetation horticulture. I for one have never seen a Hydroponic Water Filter. I've seen water filtration systems which are implemented into a filter, but unless you are a grower yourself I would doubt you can just spot something like that and know exactly what it is. "Holy Cow Steve! That is a Model-XJ77NINER Water Filtering System! Most likely to be used as a Hydroponic Water Filtering system to grow POT!!!! Hurrrry lets call the heat!" I'm not buying it.. I'm calling this B.S. and moving on. Thirdly, why was the "artificial lighting" spotted near by? Why was it not spotted in the grow area? I'm thinking that is where the lighting would have the most benefit. If this was exactly what came from the mouth of the employee whom most likely was trespassing any way.... I am going to call B.S. on this too. Lastly, nothing was said about this being a legal registered caregiver in the State of Michigan to grow Medical Cannabis. Yes or No? Seem's fishy that it was 70 plants, two plants under the state legal maximum with a full patient card. Growing Cannabis medically in Michigan IS NOT ILLEGAL. Since no other Darwin's will say it, I will. Nail Salon's smell like Satan's rear end, no getting rid of the smell. What better place to grow Cannabis which a
Matt Cooper
Sat, Apr 21, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.
Lease terms have nothing whatever to do with it. If your apartment is burning and the landlord needs to get into your apartment to put out the fire, they are well within the law to kick down your door and take whatever action necessary to extinguish the fire. Same principle applies here. Meijer is under no legal obligation to let their store be damaged severely from a water leak in the nail salon, and nothing in the lease confers such obligation. Secondly, the manager or anyone he so designates is completely allowed to enter the salon in the case of such emergencies. There is no legal requirement that the person entering the salon must be a manager as any employee, being so directed by a store manager, shift manager etc., can enter (example would be that in the apartment fire scenario, the landlord himself doesn't have to enter your apartment. He can give the key to the maintenance man (or fireman) and direct him to do it. There is nothing illegal about it). And no, this is not trespassing.
JustinHale
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
I will go with you on that. But does that give the right to let ANY Meijer employee enter the area? I'm thinking there would be a loop for that. It didn't specify if it was a Meijer Manager or not, just an employee. I don't think I would want any Joe Shmoe allowed into my establishment. And again it would come down to what was on the lease terms.
RuralMom
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 11:25 a.m.
Anytime there is a flood, fire, catastrophic event, landlords have the RIGHT to enter to stop damages to their dwelling. Its a standard clause in any lease agreement. So the actual discovery by a Meijers employee, isn't against the law. Not too sure about reporting it to authorities, but if the leak was bad enough to call the fire department for help and they reported it to the police, then that may be the legal way around all the necessities of a search warrant. Just an F.Y.I. I am very pro Medical Marijuana, so I am not trying to negate your point of view, just saying this is how they get around the legalities!
Kai Petainen
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:46 a.m.
am i reading this correctly? +9,000 facebook recommends. wow. congrats.
G-Man
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.
What was the artificial lighting doing outside the closet? And why would that be suspicious? And what is a "hydroponic water filter" anyway? A water device to filter water? I suppose you're going to tell me they had a "hot water heater", too?.......
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:53 a.m.
uhhhh, it was a 'pot water heater' ... knock, knock ? /grin
JustinHale
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 6:21 a.m.
I was kind of wondering the same my friend..
Radek Ozog
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 2:46 a.m.
LOL we can no longer call conspiracy theorist crazy anymore, because with this anything now possible!!! lol look the tittle of he article?
Chris Knott
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 2:18 a.m.
If you play, you pay! end of story!
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:36 a.m.
mhirzel -- 5:56 PM on 4/17/2012 -- Oh, yeah...... Can't see how they can try to pluck one little guy's motel from him, if they don't take a Meijer store, as well.... -- http://online.wsj.com/article/xx [ 404 ] however, i figgered you wer on to sometheing soooo ... http://tewksbury.patch.com/articles/caswell-to-feds-i-won-t-let-you-take-my-motel ...and... http://fear.org/whatsnew.shtml by Judy Osburn -- For the past two years federal and local law enforcement agencies have been trying to take away the Motel Caswell from innocent owners Russel and Pat Caswell. If the federal government succeeds in the forfeiture of the Caswell's property, it will send nearly one million dollars to the Tewksbury police department, keeping the rest for itself, and leaving the Caswells with nothing but the loss and destruction of their life's work. United States v. 434 Main Street, Tewksbury, Massachusetts (Civil Action No. 09-11635-JGD) -- Institute for Justice challenges "equitable sharing" adoptive seizure of Motel Caswell as unconstutional violation of Tenth Amendment. FORFEIT MEIERS ?!?!?! which cop-shop would get a bazillion bucks for -taht- property ... the whoel shoppign center ??
Spyker
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:27 a.m.
And I though the only type of hash available at Meijer was made from diced potatoes and corned beef!
huh7891
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 12:25 a.m.
OMG...I think I need an adult diaper. I'm laughing so hard I'm about to lose control ....
TX2AA
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 12:08 a.m.
Did they fix the leak?
fishjamaica
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
Free the Herb.
JustinHale
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 6:19 a.m.
Amen.
breadman
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
Thats why the store dept. managers have extened breaks, so they can meet there guests with a grin!!! OH! so "high how are you doing today, may I help you find something"
Jim Clarkson
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.
"Kal Farah, owner of the IHOP adjacent to the Meijer store said he hadn't been heard about the bust before a reporter asked about it. This guy is sure to lose some buisness, lol.
N. Todd
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.
I could be wrong, but based on everything I'm reading in the article, nothing actually indicates that this was an illegal grow operation. I'm not claiming it wasn't; just that under the right circumstances, I don't see why one couldn't legally have a grow op there. Provided it was locked properly and access was limited to the patient-caregiver, couldn't he/she cultivate up to 72 plants, even in that location? Landlord/tenant agreements might prevent it but I don't think it is automatically unlawful. Or am I missing something?
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:39 p.m.
Also, marijuana is illegal under federal law. It is time to change that but I don't see the change happening any time soon.
treetowncartel
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.
I'd guess the commercial lease didn't allow it, but then again maybe the draftsperson didn' anticipate that pot might be a legal, but heavily regulated, endeavor someday.
15crown00
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:01 p.m.
make money any way u can.go to jail for sure
Amanda Zee
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:23 p.m.
I wonder if they will check out the other US Nails location on Jackson Rd in Ann Arbor? Are they owned by the same person?
Hwing
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 11:44 p.m.
I was wondering the same thing, I really like that US Nails salon... I hope they are not connected!
Ann English
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
I don't know where that other US Nails on Jackson Road is, but I know where on Jackson Road another Meijer store is.
sandalwood
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:16 p.m.
Guess we know now why the Greeters alway's have that big grin on their face!!
Mikey
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.
"Kal Farah, owner of the IHOP adjacent to the Meijer store said he hadn't been heard about the bust before a reporter asked about it. Stephanie Johnson, 46, of Ann Arbor said she's had her nails done at U.S. Nails before. She said the quality of the work was low, but she never suspected any illegal activity." this entire 'paragraph' is just ridiculous! Im not sure what else to say.....
Kristen
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
*Applebee's. sarcasm fail.
Kristen
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
I know, why didn't they ask a server at Applbee's or a teller at Chase what they thought of the bust?!
A2comments
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:48 p.m.
The grass is always greener...
Jay
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.
Hahahaha, love it!
MSU0284
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.
I wish they would change the title to "salon inside Meijer in Pittsfield Township" instead of "salon inside Meijer near Ann Arbor".
AAW
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:37 p.m.
you are a snob!! Nothing like this ever happens in Ann Arbor. Get over yourself Ann Arbor.
djacks24
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
Furthermore, what would you do if you found out the hash bash was in Ann Arbor and has gotten a whole lot more publicity then this little article will ever get?
Katherine Gagnon
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
i had my first pedicure there... would of never known. i suppose weirder crap has happened there.
Cici
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.
They took the freshest produce..........
cybercitizen
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.
This is in reply to Les Gov ..... Yeah I bet Walmart will be "rolling back" prices now.... and the smiley face will be smiling even more! :) :)
bamwow
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
Love the comments! It's gotta take some huevos to grow marijuana in a public place like that. Doofus!
babmay11
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:53 p.m.
Some eggs?
Thomas Jones
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
Great Story Cindy!!!!!!! I've done it!!!!!!!(read like soccer goal being scored!!!) GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!
Maggie
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
I guess that salon will be losing their lacquer license.
Chrissa
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
Well if they didn't get much business before, it should sure pick up now! Kidding aside, what in the what what does this mean, "Police also seized some cash"? That seems like the oddest statement to me. I hope they at least know how much cash was seized.
djacks24
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.
"And yes, sadly, I've been going to that hole since I was little." Me too. Its a hole but it will always hold fond memories in my heart. Remember the unsupervised, glassed-in kids play area in the back of the store, back in the seventies with all the big dinosaurs to climb on. My mother and grandmother would leave me there and tell me to stay put until they came back from shopping. I'd always leave and get lost. Then some friendly stranger would find me afraid and crying near the front the store. They would take me to the cashier area where they would have to announce over the store PA for my folks to come and claim me. It certainly was a different and safer world back then.
Chrissa
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
I meant the nail salon, which I doubt will ever re-open (obviously a sarcastic remark). And yes, sadly, I've been going to that hole since I was little.
djacks24
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
"Well if they didn't get much business before, it should sure pick up now!" Not much business? Have ever even been there?
Kilgore Trout
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.
Darn store was always out of Dorito's
Jay
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.
Hahahahah!
a2girl
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
That's okay Tom, I'll add one for you.
Tom Teague
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
I am saddened that I can't "vote up" your comment more than once.
Kilgore Trout
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:22 p.m.
Is that an annual or a perennial?
Thomas Jones
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.
Perennial...... it is a BUDDING PLANT!!!!!!!!!!!
Dennis
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:22 p.m.
I can't believe I have been going all the way to the Kroger on Michigan ave for my weed.
JustinHale
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 6:18 a.m.
Ah, don't go there. Its ditch weed.
Robert Granville
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
Should've grown organically in soil. No water leaks, no bust. hahaha
debater
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.
HIGHer standards, lower hiding spots.
Thomas Jones
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
EPIC!!!!!!!
a2girl
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:06 p.m.
Meijers Shifty Fakers. That was my dad's favorite place to shop.
15crown00
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.
go to that store almost everytime i'm up there
Jojo B
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:03 p.m.
The puns are making this thread go to pot. Can we get a moderator to weed out the dopey ones?
Roadman
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:58 p.m.
This article documents some of the vast law enforcement and prosecutorial resources that were expended to confiscate something that deserves to be legal. It could have been expended toward trgeting violent crime or narcotics. The "N" in LAWNET stands for "narcotics" - not pot. Free the Weed! Free the weed! Let us put marijuana legalization on the ballot now.
YpsiLivin
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:44 p.m.
"A leaky roof can hide from the Sun, but it can't hide from the rain." D'oh! Stupid water...
Cici
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:17 p.m.
That's taken right from a Haitian proverb! But it uses "fool" instead of hide....
shutthefrtdoor
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.
Somebody might have over-watered the plants and it wasn't the roof at all! LOL
justcurious
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.
This is amazing....amazingly stupid on someone's part...I'm not saying who...but by now they know who they are....was this a dispensary on the side?
iCraig
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:29 p.m.
I can't beat any of those comments in that string so I'm going to applaud the witty commentors.
Thomas Jones
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:26 p.m.
The comments are EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!
mhirzel
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
You said it! Makes up for the fun I didn't have yesterday, reading comments on the Child Protective Services kidnapping story.
Chrissa
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:43 p.m.
I am crying I'm laughing so hard. Sure beats drowned pets.
Ann
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.
Well, I guess if they were hungry afterwards........
Unusual Suspect
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
Locally-grown produce.
A2M3
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.
I appreciate the fact that Meijer supports local growers.
Ann English
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:59 p.m.
I would have been saddened if it had been Hiller's sheltering a marijuana growing operation; I think Jim Hiller really got the Buy-from-Michigan-Farmers ball rolling, and I shopped there today.
zeeba
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.
Under state and federal law, the entire Meijer store is now subject to forfeit, since it was used in the production or delivery of an illegal drug. Doesn't matter that the store management or owner was not aware - there have been plenty of other rental properties, vacant lands, vehicles and other private properties that have been confiscated under similar circumstances. In many cases, no one was ever even charged with an offense, but the property itself was determined to have committed a crime and so was forfeit. In the name of justice, all right-thinking citizens should stand up and demand that the Ypsi Meijer's be forfeited. Just so we know that everyone gets treated equally, y'know.
Matt Cooper
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
Ummmm...right. Due process BEFORE the seizure. As if the cop should stand there with the arrestee and debate how and why he wants to seize the property used in the commission of the felony. Maybe he ought ask the arrestee's permission while he's at it, eh?? Like it or not, there is a process whereby one can go to court and have their challenge to forfeiture heard by a judge (more information here, since I don't have time to educate you further: http://www.nicholslawyers.com/In-The-News/ID/203/Overview-of-Michigans-Drug-Forfeiture-Statute) This also is in fact called 'due process' (in contrast to your comment wherein which you claim there is none: "Basically they allow innocent people's assets to be seized without any kind of due process"). I know exactly what I'm talking about because I study, read, learn and otherwise educate myself. I wish everyone here would do the same.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.
Also @Matt Cooper, you really should take your own advice and know what you are talking about before you accuse others of being ignorant of things especially when you seem to have trouble understanding basic concepts like "before" and "after". Yes, there is an appeals process. A particularly bad one with a short time limit. Even so, that is something that occurs AFTER the seizure. A seizure with no requirement for due process BEFORE the seizure occurs.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
@Matt Cooper. Oh please tell me how MCL 333.7522 requires any kind of due process before a seizure.
Matt Cooper
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:18 a.m.
Wonam in Ypsilanti: "Basically they allow innocent people's assets to be seized without any kind of due process". Another one trying to discuss a law they obviously seem to know little to nothing about. There is in fact an appeal process one can go through in order to retrieve one's seized property. Study up on it, please.
Matt Cooper
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:16 a.m.
zeeba: "As for similar circumstances, there have been numerous instances where a property was being used for marijuana cultivation without knowledge of the owner (think rentals or relatives) and it was confiscated by the authorities" Ok. Name one. Name one that is anywhere close to a PD trying to claim forfeiture on anything akin to a Meijer store. I'll be laughing hysterically in the corner while you're researching.
Matt Cooper
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:13 a.m.
This is like saying that because someone grows pot in their apartment the entire apartment complex is subject to forfeiture laws for doing nothing more than renting an apartment to the perpetrator. Forfeiture laws don't work that way, haven't worked that way and never will work that way. The PD won't file forfeiture because they know the judge would laugh them out of court. I love how people who know nothing of the laws try to explain the law they know nothing about to others who, likewise, know nothing about that law. This, to me, is funnier then h*ll!
Michigan Reader
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:13 a.m.
Notwithstanding the sarcasm, even if the LAWNET wanted to forfeit to themselves anything, it could only be personal property under state law. Personal property such as: artificial lighting, hydroponic water filters, containers used for transport, vehicles used for transport, unless the owner didn't know about it, etc. No real property can be forfeited. Federal law may be different.
Amanda Zee
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:21 p.m.
You guys need to learn when someone is using sarcasm to make a point. Zeeba isn't actually saying "Hey everyone! Assemble! Start an online petition! Complain as much as you can from the comfort of your own home!" Get real, kids. No one is going to close your beloved crappiest Meijer around.
mhirzel
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:56 p.m.
Oh, yeah...... Can't see how they can try to pluck one little guy's motel from him, if they don't take a Meijer store, as well.... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204450804576623404141904000.html
Jay
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.
Funny, but the average person doesn't have the money to hire lawyers like Meijer's can. That's why the state will not pursue, lol.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:20 p.m.
zeeba, you are right on that our forfeiture laws are really bad. I would ordinarily say that we don't need to close down a beloved local retail establishment in order to make that clear to everyone but judging from the comments here, maybe we do. Our drug forfeiture policies are really bad. Basically they allow innocent people's assets to be seized without any kind of due process. And the police department that does the seizing gets to keep the stuff thus providing them with an incentive to do it. I can't understand why reasonable people tolerate this kind of stuff but my guess is that powerless people are targeted for such things. I am sure you know that is exactly why a large corporation like Meijer wont be. It would be too high profile and Meijer has the resources to effectively fight it. Still, I can't bring myself to advocate that this unjust aspect of the law be applied to Meijer because if it were, it really would do a lot of damage to the community at large even if it ultimately resulted in people waking up to other injustices committed by law enforcement in the name of the war on drugs.
Cici
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.
We don't need another sore spot like that on Packard. I shop at that Meijer!! And right on - there's no reason to put so many people out of work as well.
djacks24
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:50 p.m.
"Or did you think I was seriously calling for Meijer's to be impounded?" Yeah, for a minute, I kind of did.
zeeba
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
You could also say that confiscating someone's car, which they need to get to work , just because their cousin got busted driving it is a pretty stupid reason as well. Or impounding a 5-acre property because marijuana plants were found in a back corner, although no effort was made to show who put them there. The point is, the courts allow private property to be taken without any proof of wrongdoing by the owner or any proceeding to determine the owner's culpability. That's the issue here. Or did you think I was seriously calling for Meijer's to be impounded?
djacks24
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.
"So why should Meijer be exempt just because they're bigger and wealthier?" Well, maybe because it would put several innocent people out of work and leave all kinds of area residents and EMU college students without a cheap and convenient means of shopping. Not to mention a building and parking lot that size left abandoned over some illegally discovered pot plants is a pretty stupid reason to add further blight to a struggling area. Hows that for a few reasons?
zeeba
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
Forfeited. As in property confiscated by the state. As for similar circumstances, there have been numerous instances where a property was being used for marijuana cultivation without knowledge of the owner (think rentals or relatives) and it was confiscated by the authorities. Similar situations have happened where someone borrowed a car and was busted for possession - the owner lost their vehicle. All of this was done with no proof of guilt or any conviction - the property is considered guilty. That's how the law works. So why should Meijer be exempt just because they're bigger and wealthier?
YpsiLivin
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.
"- that have been confiscated under similar circumstances." I haven't found any evidence of a growing operation being set up in a functional 24-hour hypermarket, so I'm not sure what "similar circumstances" you're referring to. The police could make a better case for forfeiture if the cops found the operation before Meijer did, or if Meijer knew about the operation and did nothing, but since they informed the police immediately upon discovering the little secret Garden Center, I'm thinking that we'll all still be Meijering this weekend.
djacks24
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
What do you mean by "forfeited"? Closed? I really hope not. That's the closet Meijer to me and we shop there often. Not for weed though.
Ricardo Queso
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.
The signage should have read "hot stoned massage".
justcary
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:20 a.m.
Pretty Cheesy, Mr. Queso!
leezee
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
Hey, I was going to say that! ; )
bereasonable
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
Does the sign in the photo say hot stone massage, or hot stoned massage?
Woman in Ypsilanti
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:41 p.m.
As usual, I am glad that the cops are out there protecting us from this evil plant instead of investigating not important crimes like break-ins, robberies, assaults, rapes, etc. *rolls eyes*
tdw
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.
Yep.. your comment made me roll my eyes
treetowncartel
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.
Thrifty acres and thrifty closets
shutthefrtdoor
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.
This puts a whole new meaning to "Meijer Thrifty Acres"!!!
jv
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
They sure are committed to that "Meijer Fresh" concept
u812
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
legalize it! TAX it,regulate it & we will have revenue for another war somewhere.
luvdady
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
actually like the story said "police also seized cash" they can take money and claim it was drugs, even if it was just a tip jar . had this been a residence they could have confiscated cars etc... as well,
eagleman
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:15 p.m.
You are taking about a few billions dollars. The dollar amount from taxing weed would be a drop in the bucket. That said, it would be better to gain money from weed then to spend money trying to stop people from using it.
Basic Bob
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:44 p.m.
But perhaps less motivation to start a war.
Linda French
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.
It gives new meaning to one stop shopping.
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:10 a.m.
... or.. ohne shop stopping ...
Kai Petainen
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
Meijeruana?
Chrissa
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.
hahahaahahah...Oh, Kai. They broke the mold with you, my friend. Priceless.
Maxwell
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
Good one!
Jeff Renner
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
The first part of the second paragraph is missing.
just a voice
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
who the hell is downvoting this post and why?
Cindy Heflin
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
Hi Jeff: There was a bit of extraneous coding that was affecting the way the story was appearing on our site. That's been fixed. Thank you.
Hmm
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
Highlarious
Basic Bob
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.
Amazing. How did they think they could go undetected, or get the finished product out of the store?
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:13 p.m.
... in a budder dish ...
DBH
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.
Nailed!
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
i've been using the pharmacy on the main floor... bummer
Jimmy McNulty
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
I guess it's because you don't have "card" access to that pharmacy!
Les Gov
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.
now that is customer service.....I wonder if Walmart will match their prices?
SMC
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
"Hey, man... The oil from these plants is used to make biodegradable nail varnish, man! Legalize it!"
fjord
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4 p.m.
Apparently I've been shopping at the wrong Meijer.
Renee S.
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:46 p.m.
I know your comment was tongue and cheek, but actually this particular Meijer's is pretty crappy. All their produce is wilted and old.
grimmk
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.
Apparently I have but was never given any added bonuses. :( But frankly I haven't laughed so hard in years!
John of Saline
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
Somebody figured the lights are on 24 hours anyway, may as well use them to grow stuff?