A Wisconsin resident, identified as Jonathan Millard, faces charges in La Porte Superior Court 1, Indiana, for alleged possession and intent to distribute a significant quantity of cannabis. The charges come after an incident on February 23rd, when Millard was stopped by law enforcement on Interstate 94 near Michigan City for multiple traffic violations, including failing to signal while changing lanes and following too closely to other vehicles.
During the stop, law enforcement officials discovered 56 one-pound packages of cannabis, 1,000 THC vape cartridges, various THC-infused edibles including gummies and syrup, and four jars of THC wax in Millard's rental vehicle. This discovery was made with the assistance of a K9 unit, which alerted officers to the presence of the substances.
Court documents indicate that Millard had traveled from his home in Wisconsin to the Detroit area and was on his way back when he was detained. The origin of the cannabis products, whether they were purchased legally from a dispensary, has not been disclosed.
This incident underscores a growing trend in LaPorte County, where there has been a notable increase in arrests related to the transportation of legally purchased cannabis in Michigan through Indiana, where cannabis remains illegal. Previous cases have involved individuals acquiring cannabis from dispensaries in Michigan locales such as New Buffalo Township and Buchanan.
Millard is potentially facing a six-year sentence for the level 5 felony charge. Following his arrest, he posted bond and was granted permission by a judge to return to Wisconsin to await further proceedings in his case.
In a significant operation on Wednesday, February 21st, the Michigan State Police dismantled a substantial illegal cannabis cultivation facility in the Detroit metropolitan area, confiscating over 4,000 cannabis plants along with a substantial quantity of processed cannabis. This action marks a notable enforcement effort against unlicensed cannabis operations within the state.
Initiated in 2023, the investigation targeted a large-scale cultivation operation in Highland Park. Michigan State Police's diligent efforts uncovered that the suspects involved had not secured the necessary medical or recreational cannabis licenses, leading to the execution of a search warrant at the premises.
The haul from the operation included more than 4,000 cannabis plants, 213 pounds of processed cannabis, and 362 pounds of drying flower stalks. The Michigan State Police estimate the market value of the seized substances at approximately $6.3 million, highlighting the significant scale of the illegal operation.
The investigation, conducted by the MSP Second District's Marijuana & Tobacco Investigation Section, began in late fall 2023. Despite the complexities involved, the team was able to confirm the facility's operations were in violation of Michigan's cannabis regulations, lacking the necessary licenses for both the suspects and the facility.
With the price of cannabis currently standing at $93 per ounce for products sold through licensed establishments as per the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) guidelines, the seizure represents a major disruption to illegal cannabis trade in the region.
As of this report, no arrests or charges have been made public in connection with the operation.
Michigan's stance on cannabis has evolved significantly, with the state's voters approving the legal use of recreational cannabis in 2018. The law permits adults in Michigan to possess cannabis in limited quantities and cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants for personal use. However, large-scale cultivation and sales operations require appropriate licensing, underscoring the importance of compliance with state regulations.
In Detroit, a rising wave of concern is sweeping through the community as allegations surface about smoke shops selling tobacco and cannabis products to minors. This issue has prompted local residents to demand more stringent measures to prevent such practices, following the recent shutdown of a local shop accused of these illegal sales. The closure of this establishment, however, has sparked a broader debate on the responsibility of retailers and the need for community action to protect the youth.
The spark for this outcry was ignited on Detroit's east side, where community members, led by local ministers and concerned citizens, gathered to protest. They argue that shutting down a single business is insufficient to address the systemic problem of underage sales of tobacco and cannabis. The protest was not just a stand against one errant retailer but a call to action for the city to enforce stricter regulations and oversight on all businesses that flout the law by selling harmful substances to children.
At the heart of the protest was the proximity of these shops to local schools, highlighting the ease with which students could access tobacco and illegal cannabis products. This accessibility raises significant concerns about the health and safety of Detroit's youth, particularly given reports of other shops in the city engaging in similar practices. One alarming revelation was a business on the west side accused of selling vape products to children as young as 11 and 12 years old, according to local school principals and students.
The community's frustration is palpable, with protesters emphasizing that this issue is not isolated to one location or age group but is a citywide concern that affects children across Detroit. The blatant disregard for the well-being of young people, especially young Black lives, in these communities has been called out as unacceptable. Protesters argue that such predatory practices would not be tolerated in the perpetrators' own communities and should not be allowed to continue in Detroit.
The rallying cry from the east side of Detroit is clear: the time for change is now. The community's stand against the sale of tobacco and illegal cannabis to minors is not just about law enforcement but about taking collective responsibility for the safety and future of their children. This issue highlights a critical need for more robust regulations, vigilant enforcement, and community engagement to ensure that businesses cannot profit at the expense of the health and safety of minors.
Four cannabis businesses have initiated legal action against the city of Detroit in federal court, seeking to halt any measures that could delay the launch of their $15 million marijuana processing facility. The companies argue that without the ability to operate as intended, they face imminent financial disaster.
The legal challenge stems from the city's retraction of previously granted approval for the facility, located close to a school, which the businesses contend violates their due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment. This action followed substantial investments made by the companies, based on city assurances and the issuance of special land use permits for marijuana processing and transportation.
In their court filing, the companies—Cannabis Professional Design LLC, MB City Transportation LLC, HZ Detroit Holdings 1 LLC, and HZ Detroit Holdings 2—request a preliminary injunction to permit the opening and operation of their facility. They disclose investments nearing $1.89 million, part of the facility's estimated $15 million construction value, arguing this amount could lead to their financial collapse if the facility remains closed.
The motion emphasizes the critical nature of the injunction, suggesting even temporary operation could significantly improve their financial standing. The companies have yet to generate revenue from the facility, highlighting the potential for a single month's production to cover a substantial portion of their expenses.
In response, the city of Detroit has urged the court to reject the injunction, arguing the companies have not demonstrated a risk of "irreparable injury" and suggesting that the facility's proximity to a school could harm students.
However, the companies counter this by referencing approval letters from the city that confirmed the facility's operation would not negatively impact the community. They also noted investments in infrastructure improvements, including a second-floor construction and the installation of specialized machinery.
The legal battle began with a state court lawsuit in November, later escalated to federal court, over the city's revocation of permits granted over two years. These permits were essential for the facility's operation but were invalidated in October when the city reclassified the land as a "drug-free zone" due to its proximity to a nearby school.
The city's later filings revealed that the revocation occurred after it recognized the school's proximity to the proposed facility—a detail missed during initial reviews due to the school's industrial-looking appearance and location in a zone typically not permitting educational institutions.
This dispute highlights the complex interplay between cannabis business operations, municipal regulations, and community safety concerns, particularly regarding proximity to schools and the enforcement of "drug-free zones."
A court session for the ongoing case against four individuals from Battle Creek, accused of a robbery at a marijuana store in Camden on January 31st, has been postponed to February 28th.
The suspects, identified on February 2nd as 19-year-old Dontay Dequan Banks, 23-year-old Treshaun Omeirr Boykins, 18-year-old Milton Tyier Hudson, and 18-year-old Jeremiah Javon Smith, face multiple charges. These include breaking and entering with the intention of theft, conspiracy to commit breaking and entering, receiving and concealing stolen goods, fleeing police in the third degree, and resisting arrest.
During their arraignment on February 2nd in the 2B District Court, held via video link from Hillsdale County Jail, each suspect was formally charged and assigned a court-appointed attorney.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of January 31st, prompting a response from the Michigan State Police to an alarm at The Pinnacle Emporium, located at 421 S. Main St., Camden. Upon arrival, officers discovered the four men and an accompanying juvenile in a white 2018 Kia parked outside the premises.
When police attempted an arrest, the suspects fled, leading to a high-speed pursuit that stretched from Michigan into Ohio, then west into Indiana, with speeds exceeding 100 mph. The chase concluded in southern Branch County, Michigan, where a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver) was executed to stop the vehicle just south of Calhoun County.
After the vehicle was stopped, all four suspects attempted to flee on foot but were quickly apprehended by the police. The juvenile involved was released to his parents, while the adults were initially taken to the Branch County Jail before being transferred to Hillsdale County Jail.
In court, Judge Megan Stiverson highlighted Hillsdale County Court's new Community Corrections Program, labeling the defendants as "low-risk" for future court appearances, noting their lack of prior criminal records. Consequently, Stiverson granted each a personal recognizance bond, mandating their compliance with the Community Corrections Program's supervision.
If convicted of the charges, each suspect faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Early on Monday morning, a break-in occurred at the Aim High Meds marijuana dispensary in Tekonsha Township, Calhoun County, triggering an urgent call for public assistance to identify the culprits. Just before 5:30 a.m., the establishment's alarm system was activated, alerting local law enforcement to the incident. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies from the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office discovered signs of forced entry and noted that various items had been stolen from the business.
Investigation efforts were aided by surveillance footage, which revealed four masked individuals as the primary suspects in this burglary. These individuals were seen departing the scene in a red Kia SUV, last observed heading northbound on Interstate 69. The authorities are now seeking assistance from the community to track down these suspects and recover the stolen property.
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Department is urging anyone with information related to this crime, the whereabouts of the suspects, or the location of the red Kia SUV to come forward. Members of the public can contact the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office directly at 269-781-0880 or provide anonymous tips through Silent Observer at 269-964-3888. This collaborative effort between law enforcement and the community aims to ensure the swift apprehension of the perpetrators and the reinforcement of safety and security within the local area.
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