Republicans Grow Pot Too...

[slipstar059]

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A former state representative allegedly admitted to police that he was selling marijuana to at least 20 people after drug team officers found three pounds of marijuana at one West Side residence and 71 marijuana plants at another, court records show.

 

Roy Schmidt, who represented Grand Rapids' West Side in the state legislature for two terms as a Democrat between 2008 and 2012, told police he was a medical marijuana patient and a caregiver, according to a probable cause affidavit seeking a warrant for his arrest.

 

Kent County Sheriff's Detective John Tuinhoff said Schmidt, 61, admitted to "selling to at least 20 people who are not his registered patients with the state of Michigan or had a medical marijuana card."

The Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team raided Schmidt's home in the 1800 block of Seventh Street NW on Wednesday, June 10, and found three pounds of marijuana there, Tuinhoff said in court records.

Authorities also searched a home rented by Schmidt in the 800 block of Myrtle Avenue NW, where they claim to have discovered 71 marijuana plants growing in the residence, documents show. Schmidt was arrested Thursday.

Schmidt allegedly told investigators that the drug distribution occurred at his home as well as other locations.

Kent County Undersheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said Thursday that the investigation has been underway for about a month.

 

Schmidt, 61, is scheduled for arraignment this afternoon before Grand Rapids District Court Judge Donald Passenger on two counts of delivery/manufacturing of marijuana.

 

Depending on the total weight of the marijuana in question, Schmidt could be facing maximum penalties of four, seven or 15 years in prison. The harshest penalty of for a weight of more than 45 kilograms, or nearly 100 pounds.

Operation under the state's medical marijuana laws allow a caregiver to have up to 6 patients and grow 12 plants per patient. Sales are not allowed to people who do not have a state-issued card or to users who are not registered patients of the caregiver.

 

Schmidt lost his position in state government as he was seeking a third and final term in the House. In a last-minute maneuver, he switched to the Republican Party and conspired with then-Michigan House Speaker and Republican Jase Bolger.

 

Schmidt tried to have a family friend run in the Democratic primary as a straw candidate, but he ended up losing to Democrat Winnie Brinks in the 2012 general election.

 

A grand jury did not indict Schmidt and Bolger for their actions.

Prior to his entry into state politics, Schmidt was a 16-year Grand Rapids City Commissioner representing the West Side.

He remains in the Kent County Jail at this time awaiting arraignment when the judge will determine a bond amount.

 

 

 

[t-pain]

Section 8, hopefully

[Wild Bill]

Kent County Sheriff's Detective John Tuinhoff said Schmidt, 61, admitted to "selling to at least 20 people who are not his registered patients with the state of Michigan or had a medical marijuana card."

 

There it is again. "Please officer, would you stick this up my butt?"

 

Normally I'd be surprised that a person who wrote laws would be sharper than this but I guess since he's a Michigan lawmaker he's probably not quite functionally literate.

 

Maybe he can give the court his work history and get off on diminished capacity.

 

ps. Republicans grow pot and do many other things that could be considered by some to be illegal or immoral, they just get upset when others do it.

Edited June 12, 2015 by Wild Bill

[mibrains]

since he's a Michigan lawmaker he's probably not quite functionally literate.

 

^^ what he said

[t-pain]

are we going to get 24h coverage of this?

 

was released on a personal recognizance bond Friday by Grand Rapids District Court Judge Donald Passenger.

 

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/06/12/roy-schmidt-marijuana-charges/71148512/

 

In court, Judge Passenger said "at worst this is a medical grow operation." He also noted that "I've known Mr. _____ for many years and consider him a professional colleague."

 

wow. he knows a judge...

[Willy]

are we going to get 24h coverage of this?

 

was released on a personal recognizance bond Friday by Grand Rapids District Court Judge Donald Passenger.

 

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/06/12/roy-schmidt-marijuana-charges/71148512/

 

In court, Judge Passenger said "at worst this is a medical grow operation." He also noted that "I've known Mr. _____ for many years and consider him a professional colleague."

 

wow. he knows a judge...

There ya go, a get out jail free card.... lets see if he gets the same treatment you or I would.....

[t-pain]

personal bond, already thats not treatment any of us would get.

[Wild Bill]

wow. he knows a judge...

 

Might even own a couple.