Medical Marijuana Business Closes After Raid, Arrests
OAK PARK (WWJ) - A popular medical marijuana facility in Oak Park is closing its doors Wednesday.
WWJ's Sandra McNeill spoke with "Big Daddy's Hydro" board member Rick Thompson, who said after the arrest of four people at the business last month, they're moving out of Oakland County.
"It's a sad day for us to leave Oak Park, but the Oakland County Sheriff's Department has made operating in Oakland County just too difficult," Thompson said.
"It seems like our patients are being given undue attention and these are people that we would never want to put in a position where they have excessive attention from law enforcement. And if that means we have to shut down operations and move somewhere else so that those people are not put in jeopardy, then that's what we'll do," he continued.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Department conducted a raid on the facility in August after officials say they received tips from arrested drug dealers who claimed they obtained their supply from the dispensary.
"I don't see this as a victory for the Oakland County Sheriff's Department. I see any time medical services are being denied to the public, it's a negative. And anybody that says this is a win for them really has no intention of helping the sick and the injured in Michigan," Thompson said.
The Sheriff's Department said the arrests followed an ongoing investigation of such facilities that have nabbed suspects in Waterford and Ferndale as well.
The four are facing drug charges after undercover deputies bought medical marijuana using forged cards. Collectively, the suspects are charged with 10 counts of delivery and conspiracy to deliver marijuana, with punishments ranging from four to seven years and fines of up to $30,000.
Thompson said Big Daddy's will continue to operate their stores in four other locations, including one in Detroit and Chesterfield Township.
