Williamston Green Leaf Raid

[AnnieBell]

UPDATED 4 P.M. -- MASON -- Fredrick Wayne Dagit, 60, faces five drug-related counts, including delivery or manufacture of more than 45 kilograms of marijuana, according to a felony complaint filed today in 55th District Court. The maximum penalty for that charge is 15 years in prison.

 

 

The owner of the Green Leaf Smokers Club in Williamstown Township also is charged with two counts of delivery or manufacture of 5 to 45 kilograms of marijuana, a seven-year felony, as well as maintaining a drug house and possession of marijuana.

 

 

Maintaining a drug house is considered a high-court misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in jail. Possession of marijuana is a one-year misdemeanor.

 

 

Dagit, who court documents say was convicted of burglary in Illinois in 1993, is also charged as a habitual offender.

 

 

Dagit was arrested Wednesday after the Tri-County Narcotics Squad raided the business.

 

 

An arraignment for Dagit had been expected to take place this afternoon in 55th District Court, but officials said "extenuating circumstances" mean that it likely will not happen. Officials would not elaborate on the circumstances..

 

 

Check www.lsj.com for updates.

 

UPDATED 2 P.M. -- WILLIAMSTOWN TWP. -- The Green Leaf Smokers Club on Grand River Road remained locked and closed as of 10:30 a.m. today, nearly a day after a regional narcotics team raided the medical marijuana users' club and arrested its owner, Wayne Dagit.

 

But according to Jeffrey Foldie, an attorney for the owners of the building where the Green Leaf Smokers Club is located, officers did not confiscate the marijuana on the premises, which related to a medical marijuana business.

 

An arraignment for Dagit had been expected to take place this afternoon in 55th District Court, but officials said "extenuating circumstances" mean that it likely will not happen. The specific charges he faces were not immediately known.

 

State law allows registered caregivers to grow marijuana for up to five patients and to possess up to 12 plants and 2-1/2 ounces of usable marijuana per patient. Dagit told the Livingston Daily Press & Argus earlier this month that the club provided shared growing space for caregivers.

 

“All the marijuana that was on the property at that time fell within the statutory limits,” said Foldie. He did not know whether Dagit was still in custody, and Dagit could not be reached this morning for comment.

 

Authorities have been mum about the reasons for the raid and whether anyone may face charges as a result. On Wednesday, Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III declined to discuss the matter because it is under investigation and could not be reached for further comment this morning. Officials at the Ingham County Jail reached today referred comment to Dunnings.

 

 

The business hours listed on the club’s website are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

 

Witnesses say that members of the Tri-County Metro Narcotics Squad entered the club Wednesday afternoon, guns drawn, and searched the establishment.

 

 

"They treated us like criminals, forced us to the ground, even though I have to walk with a cane," said Terry Clark, 48, a registered medical marijuana user who said he suffers from arthritis, seizures and chronic pain.

 

 

He and the one other customer in the club eventually were asked to show their state-issued medical marijuana cards, which they did, Clark said. They were then allowed to leave.

 

Shortly before opening the club in February, Dagit told the State Journal that he wanted it to be a haven for medical marijuana users who wish to use the herb in a social setting. At the time, he said he intended that users would bring their own supply.

 

Dagit has maintained that the club complies with the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, the ballot initiative that legalized medical marijuana in 2008.

 

 

But the legal status of marijuana-related businesses is still hazy. Several cities have discussed regulating marijuana dispensaries, Lansing among them. The city of Howell has proposed banning them outright.

 

 

Check www.lsj.com for updates.

[+Scottybud]

WOW..not good at all....

[bobandtorey]

WOW..not good at all....

 

sorry did i miss something here Leo broke the Law again they left all the Meds their just like they did at are house left me a joint for the AM

[pjmilligan]

wow. Guns drawn? Going after a patient with a cane? Sad

[Weed Warrior]

They took Marijuana from my friend who was there with this other guy in the picture. Don't believe that one... they took the medicine!!!

[AnnieBell]

Michigan's next battle over medical marijuana might take place in an Ingham County courtroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, authorities filed a felony drug complaint in 55th District Court against Frederick Wayne Dagit after a raid Wednesday of his Green Leaf Smokers Club in Williamstown Township.

 

Michigan marijuana advocates say it's the first police raid in Michigan of such a marijuana social club since medicinal marijuana became legal statewide last year. And that, depending on the circumstances, might prove to be a test case for such clubs to operate.

 

"We all knew it was inevitable," Greg Francisco, founder of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association, said of a police raid. "We want an answer from the court. We want a test case, but we don't want anyone to be a target."

 

Dagit, 60, was charged with five drug-related counts, including delivery or manufacture of more than 45 kilograms of marijuana. The maximum penalty for that charge is 15 years in prison.

 

Dagit also is charged with two counts of delivery or manufacture of 5 to 45 kilograms of marijuana, a seven-year felony, as well as maintaining a drug house and possession of marijuana. Maintaining a drug house is considered a high-court misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in jail. Possession of marijuana is a one-year misdemeanor.

 

Dagit, an ordained minister who court documents say was convicted of burglary in Illinois in 1993, also is charged as a habitual offender. Dagit said he opened the club on Grand River Avenue in February as a haven for patients to buy medicinal marijuana from caregivers and socialize.

 

Dagit could not be reached for comment Thursday. Ing-ham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said Dagit, who was arrested Wednesday evening, was taken Thursday from Ingham County Jail to Ingham Regional Medical Center because of a medical problem. Hospital officials would not disclose his condition.

 

"We're still trying to understand how this place actually operated," Dunnings said of the club. "We do have some continuing concerns that the place was not in accordance with Michigan marijuana laws."

 

Dunnings declined further comment because Dagit had not yet been arraigned.

 

 

 

 

Upset about raid

The law doesn't explicitely permit medical marijuana clubs, but it also doesn't prohibit them, said Ron Bretz, a criminal law and procedure professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He said it is clear that those with state-issued medical marijuana cards can't be arrested for using marijuana.

 

"This has gotten a lot of publicity and it's angered a lot of people. I'm certain it's angered a lot of people in Williamston," Bretz said. "There is a possibility that (the police) did this just to send a message. I hope not."

 

Dagit has contended his club is legal because the new state law doesn't prohibit it.

 

Several club members said Thursday they were upset about the raid. Standing in the hot sun outside the club, Jonna Hayes of Battle Creek said he drove to the club to find it locked and was angry he could not buy medical marijuana for a debilitating back condition.

 

"There are bigger problems out there," Hayes, 43, said. "The police could be going after murderers, instead of going after people using marijuana legally."

 

One mid-Michigan marijuana advocate questions whether it was wise for Dagit to open the club before medical marijuana was widely accepted in the community.

 

"I avoided (the club). I was afraid this might happen," said Lynn Allen, 53, of Williamston, a medical marijuana user who grows the herb in his home. "I wondered whether they were moving too fast, moving ahead of the law a little bit."

 

Bill being drafted

Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said Thursday he is drafting legislation that would ban any clubs that allow the consumption of marijuana, citing the dangers of people driving away from such clubs under the influence of drugs.

 

Meanwhile, it was business as usual Thursday afternoon at the medical marijuana dispensary on Grand River Avenue in Lansing's Old Town. A handful of people waited to purchase medical marijuana. A manager on site would not give his name, and owner Danny Trevino could not be reached for comment. Lansing is considering regulating marijuana dispenseries, but police have allowed the business to operate.

 

Dunnings indicated authorities did not confiscate all the drugs found Wednesday at the Green Leaf Smokers Club. He said police officers left behind 120 marijuana plants that caregivers apparently had been growing legally in the club; under state law, caregivers are allowed to grow marijuana plants for authorized marijuana users.

 

On Thursday, authorities filed a felony drug complaint in 55th District Court against Frederick Wayne Dagit after a raid Wednesday of his Green Leaf Smokers Club in Williamstown Township.

 

Dagit, 60, was charged with delivery or manufacture of more than 45 kilograms of marijuana, two counts of delivery or manufacture of 5 to 45 kilograms of marijuana, and maintaining a drug house and possession of marijuana.

 

On Thursday evening, Dagit was in Ingham Regional Medical Center for an undisclosed medical problem, and is expected to be arraigned on the charges once he is released from the hospital.

[vender]

This is the Sheriff that has a problem???

[hecticdad]

sad that leo uses shock and awe when going after patients, please post when there will be a court date, and I will try to be there in support

[Zombiefied]

Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said Thursday he is drafting legislation that would ban any clubs that allow the consumption of marijuana, citing the dangers of people driving away from such clubs under the influence of drugs

 

I have a HUGE problem with this. So people can go to a bar, where they can order more alcohol than what they should, drink it, and drive home? I know its not legal to drive while drunk, but people do it, all the time, so much so that we needed to put a limit on how much alcohol should be in your system, under .08%. But back to my point, that bar, is a legal business. I think and believe, that if they want to pass this bill, then every bar should stop selling alcohol.

 

Someone should also send them that study that was posted in a different forum. Norml Driving on Cannabis or something close.

 

DRIVING STUDY NORML

[AnnieBell]

"This is our humidor," said Frederick Wayne Dagit, as he showed us around his new club.

 

Sixty-year old Dagit from Meridian Township opened up the state's first pot club -- the Green Leaf University in Williamston-- just three months ago.

 

"We have gotten over 400 calls," Dagit said in March.

 

On Wednesday evening, Dagit was arrested. After receiving complaints from residents, law enforcement officials tell us weeks of investigation led them to believe Dagit was allegedly trafficking a large amount of marijuana -- outside the scope of what's allowed by state law.

 

"If an individual is a licensed caregiver, they can have up to 12 plants per patient, and if they are a licensed caregiver, they can have up to 5 patients," says Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III.

 

Dunnings tells us Dagit far exceeded the legal limit.

 

"He doesn't have the license to have delivered over 100 pounds of marijuana," Dunnings says.

 

Dagit was arraigned Friday on five counts, including possession with intent to deliver over 45 kilograms of marijuana; manufacturing more than 20 but less than 200 plants of marijuana; possession with intent to deliver more than 5 but less than 45 kilograms of marijuana; maintaining a drug house; and possession of marijuana.

 

"The maximum penalty is up to 15 years in prison," says Dagit.

 

We're told Green Leaf University was open to patients on Friday. We witnessed a handful of people entering the building. But no one wanted to comment, and we were asked to leave public property.

 

Managers of the pot club were tightlipped about the future of Green Leaf. But Dunnings tells us law enforcement officials are not involved.

 

"Police are not running the place," says Dunnings. "They haven't locked it down. So I guess it's up to the people operating it."

 

Dagit will face a judge for his pre-exam conference June 8. The preliminary examination is set for June 10. He is also not allowed to go within 500 feet to 503 W. Grand River in Williamston.

 

In addition to the 100 pounds of marijuana that were seized on Wednesday, officials tell us they found 120 plants. Those were not seized because the plants may have been owned by certified caregivers under Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act.

[welj31]

Unite now This will spread like wildfire if left unchecked

[______]

I bet the cops keep the place locked up tight until they are darn sure all the plants are dead.

[ninjastryder]

Does anyone know if the police took the patient/club member information that many legal patients gave to "Greenleaf"?. ( and don't give me guesses please). That would not be a good thing considering the police can now begin to target caregivers and patients!!!!!

[ninjastryder]

Forgot to mention. UNITE EVERYONE!!! Or at least someone start a fund to pay the legal fees for the Reverend. This is going to be a big test case for the state on where and what clubs are able to do.

[bobandtorey]

the best we can do for now is to support him the best we can

[Buck Naykid]

whats up with this charge of delivering over 100 pounds of meds? sounds like we havent heard something

[UrbanFarmer]

whats up with this charge of delivering over 100 pounds of meds? sounds like we havent heard something

 

 

"In addition to the 100 pounds of marijuana that were seized on Wednesday, officials tell us they found 120 plants. Those were not seized because the plants may have been owned by certified caregivers under Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act."

http://www.wilx.com/...74.html?ref=374

[AnnieBell]

Prosecutor: Marijuana club raid not a 'test case'

 

WILLIAMSTOWN TWP. - The doors of the Green Leaf Smokers Club were to remain closed today as authorities continued to investigate drug charges against its owner.

 

 

 

 

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said he did not pursue a raid of the club Wednesday - and the arrest of its owner, the Rev. Frederick Wayne Dagit - as a test case for whether marijuana smokers clubs can operate.

 

He said it was done in response to numerous complaints by citizens regarding illegal marijuana activity.

 

Dunnings said he doubted that a criminal prosecution could adequately clarify the state law regarding medical marijuana, which was implemented last year.

 

"This law is so poorly written, it's not a question of the Court of Appeals clarifying some ambiguities," Dunnings said. "The law is so bad, that the Legislature is going to have to act."

 

Dagit, 60, was arraigned Friday in 55th District Court on charges of delivery or manufacture of more than 45 kilograms (99 pounds) of marijuana, which carries up to a 15-year prison sentence.

 

He also is charged with two counts of delivery or manufacture of 5 to 45 kilograms (11 to 99 pounds) of marijuana, a seven-year felony, as well as possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house at his home in Meridian Township.

 

An ordained minister, Dagit said he opened the club on Grand River Road in February as a haven for patients to buy medicinal marijuana from caregivers and socialize. He said he allowed caregivers to grow marijuana at the club for their patients; Dunnings said this marijuana was not seized.

 

"Personally, I think (the arrest) is persecution," said Jerry Merwin of Leslie, a member of the governing board for the Church for Compassionate Care, which Dagit founded. "(Dagit) is a good man trying to help people out. He was running everything by the book."

 

Although Dunnings said there are ambiguities in the state law, he said he has a solid case against Dagit. Dunnings said the law clearly only allows medicinal marijuana patients to grow up to 12 marijuana plants and have 2.5 ounces of marijuana for themselves, or a caregiver to grow up to 12 plants for up to five patients each.

 

Dunnings said authorities seized more than 100 pounds of "recently delivered" marijuana at the club and at Dagit's home, which is outside the limits allowed by law.

 

Dunnings said most of the marijuana was seized at Dagit's home. He added that authorities still are trying to determine exactly how the club operated.

 

Dagit, who was hospitalized Thursday following his arrest, was arraigned in person in District Court and then lodged in Ingham County Jail on a $500,000 cash or surety bond. As a condition of bond, he was ordered to come no closer than 500 feet to his club.

 

Dagit requested the court to assign an attorney to represent him.

 

Meanwhile, a newly placed sign on the door of the Green Leaf Smokers Club Friday said it would remain closed through Monday "in observance of Memorial Day."

[UrbanFarmer]

Dunnings said he doubted that a criminal prosecution could adequately clarify the state law regarding medical marijuana, which was implemented last year.

"This law is so poorly written, it's not a question of the Court of Appeals clarifying some ambiguities," Dunnings said. "The law is so bad, that the Legislature is going to have to act."

 

This is interesting. Esp coming from the prosecutor that was okay with the plants being there.

 

Thanks for posting this.

[+JuztBudz]

AnnieBell, on 29 May 2010 - 07:48 AM, said:

 

Dunnings said he doubted that a criminal prosecution could adequately clarify the state law regarding medical marijuana, which was implemented last year.

"This law is so poorly written, it's not a question of the Court of Appeals clarifying some ambiguities," Dunnings said. "The law is so bad, that the Legislature is going to have to act."

 

Had the legislature done it's job in the first place, all of this ambiguity would have been cleaned out of the law long before this even went into effect. You see the legislature had the opportunity to do some fine tuning of this law prior to the popular vote in Nov. '08, but they thought that the voters would never approve of this law, so they allowed it to go to the ballot rather than do their jobs and act on this. Now they are making medical patients suffer the consequences of their inaction...typical political b.s.

 

Peace...j.b.

[ugmjfarmer]

I would love to hear confirmation that what we are dealing with was not wet freshly harvested marijuana that weighed 100lbs wet.. that would certainly weigh more like 20lbs dry, and possibly less when processed to fit in jars/storage. Just saying.

 

This also reminds me of the time that I was arrested for possessing 385 grams when it was in a small small glass jar that weighed approximately 383 grams. I was charged as a felon.. nice of them huh?

[Zombiefied]

I would love to hear confirmation that what we are dealing with was not wet freshly harvested marijuana that weighed 100lbs wet.. that would certainly weigh more like 20lbs dry, and possibly less when processed to fit in jars/storage. Just saying.

 

This also reminds me of the time that I was arrested for possessing 385 grams when it was in a small small glass jar that weighed approximately 383 grams. I was charged as a felon.. nice of them huh?

 

I was thinking the same thing, how much did the "dried" "usable" Cannabis weigh? Not, jars, bags, totes, ect.... I bet an officer had his foot on the scale...lol

 

Sorry ugmj that you got charged as a felon with 2 grams....

[AnnieBell]

WILLIAMSTOWN TWP. - The Green Leaf Smokers Club has reopened for business while its owner, the Rev. Frederick Wayne Dagit, remains in Ingham County Jail on $500,000 bond.

Dagit, 60, was arrested May 26 after the Tri-County Narcotics Team raided the club and his home in Meridian Township. Authorities said they seized more than 100 pounds of marijuana, mostly at his home.

 

Dagit said he opened the club on Grand River Road in February as a haven for patients to buy medicinal marijuana from caregivers and medicate.

 

Dagit could not be reached for comment at the Ingham County Jail.

 

He has requested a court-appointed attorney, but one had not been assigned to him Wednesday. If he posts bond, a judge has ordered that Dagit can come no closer than 500 feet to the club.

 

Officials of the club Wednesday refused to allow a reporter inside of the club and declined to answer questions about its operation.

[ninjastryder]

UPDATE ON THE RAID!!!!!!!!!

 

This was not a raid at all on the Greenleaf University. The word on the street is the "reverend" sold Oxycontin to an undercover cop. The University is back open. When Metro Narcotics raided the joint, they just wanted to make sure he was there so the news would get out that the place had been raided. NOTHING WAS TAKEN. NO PATIENT INFORMATION/CAREGIVER INFORMATION, NO PLANTS, NO MEDICATION OF ANY KIND WAS SEIZED! NOTHING! Only the reverend was arrested. When you break the law and sell something like that then all of your patient/caregiver protections are null and void. Something to think about for you caregivers who don't have a patients license to use marijuana and they catch you. The news media blew the story up and now everyone thinks that the club is under attack. It's not. Nice try cops and media.

[BDR]

Hmmmm... And now some more info come to light... The fact that nothing else was taken from the club besides the Reverend himself.... Sounds about right that LEO and media would use this to their advantage. The affirmative defense doesn't really cover anything with Oxycontin does it.. Sounds like the Reverend has made some poor choices.