Medical Marijuana Shop Opens Amid Debate
Another Oakland County business has claimed has received approval for a medical marijuana clinic and is open for business. This comes just days after a raid of several clinics and private homes last week.
The business is called "Bazonzoes," and their lawyer, Samatha Moffett, said they got the okay from the city of Walled Lake for the clinic.
"We submitted this application the day after it was released, which was August 5th. And, just this morning, did we get the notification that they were approved and they can open their doors for business," Moffet said.
But, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard tells WWJ it's still illegal unless the state granted them an exception.
"Which is for individuals and caregivers with five or less patients -- period," Sheriff Bouchard said.
"Anything else that goes on outside that law is not permissable and can't be approved by anyone other than a change in state law," he said.
Three clinics and several private homes were raided last week and seventeen arrests were made during a bust by the Oakland County Sheriff's Department.
Meantime, the Lapeer County sheriff's department searched a medical marijuana dispensary in the village of Dryden as part of an investigation into possible illegal drug sales.
Sheriff Ron Kalanquin said the Compassionate Care Center of Michigan was searched Tuesday. Kalanquin said authorities confiscated marijuana and about $3,500 in cash. No arrests were made or charges brought.
Kalanquin said legal patients aren't being targeted.
Center employee Mark Carter tells The Flint Journal the dispensary, about 40 miles north of Detroit, only serves patients with valid state documentation.
Michigan voters approved medical marijuana use in 2008.
(Copyright 2010 by WWJ Radio. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
