Dozens rally against medical marijuana raids

by Meghan Morelli Up North Live

OTSEGO CO. -- Medical marijuana supporters protested in Gaylord Monday, following a raid on more than a dozen dispensaries and homes last week in Otsego County and the surrounding area.

Protest organizers say they’re upset about the way police handled last week’s raids.

Investigators from the Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (SANE), Michigan State Police, and local law enforcement executed 16 search warrants Wednesday evening on the dispensaries believed to have been operating outside the laws set for medical marijuana distribution.  

Lt. Ken Mills says the businesses are believed to have been providing medical marijuana to people that were not their registered patients. 

No arrests have been made at this time.

“Places are shuttered and people are without safe access to their medicine and that is our concern,” said Jamie Lowell, Chair of the Michigan Americans for Safe Access.  “So we believe there is a much better way of doing this and we’d like to help be a part of that education.”