The Front Lines Of The Medical Marijuana Fig

[bobandtorey]

SIDNEY TWP, Mich. – “The governor is gonna get this bill – I’m pretty sure.”

Those are the words of David Overholt.

He’s in charge of Mid-Michigan Compassion Club, a network of medical marijuana caregivers.

He’s also become somewhat of a lobbyist as state lawmakers consider changes to Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act.

While the measures fall far short of legalization, the bills would remove some red tape caregivers say is hurting their business and their patients.

In addition to his work as a caregiver, Overholt is a military veteran and a soybean and corn farmer for 20 years on his land in rural Montcalm County.

He also grows medical marijuana, which he was turned on to after becoming addicted to pain pills.

Overholt suffers from chronic back pain, so he is both a caregiver and a patient.

It’s not just those suffering chronic pain, minors – even children – are seeing the benefits.

“We have a handful, about 10 minor patients; four of them are under 5 years old,” said Paul Farage, operations director with the Society of Healing Arts Institute. “These are kids who have suffered from either epilepsy or a condition in which the drugs they are taking are so harmful they are causing more harm to the child than the condition itself.”

On Thursday, Overholt invited FOX 17 to see his indoor and outdoor grow operations in Sidney Township where he can grow up to 72 plants: 12 for each of his five patients and 12 for himself.

Overholt has been the primary face of the dispensary movement in Michigan.

In March of 2013, Overholt’s Mid-Michigan Compassion Club in Grand Rapids was raided by police and later shutdown.

He is still fighting the issue in court.

“I’ve had to take and appeal that to the Supreme Court and ask the Supreme Court to kick it back to the Appeals Court and make them hear it,” said Overholt. “What I would prefer is just send it back to Grand Rapids.”

“At any time you’re licensed for 72 plants, you can have them on possession at any time, as long as you’re with cards and legal patients by the state of Michigan,” Overholt said. “Any numbers above, you break the law.”

As law stands today, Overholt can only provide pot pills and smokeable marijuana to his patients. That’s among the reasons why he says it’s so important to legalize edibles.

“For one thing, it will put prospective oils and baked good into play,” said Overholt. “You will now be allowed to have and possess brownies and candy and the basic oil itself.”

“It will give municipalities and townships and cities the privilege of allowing, or not allowing, a dispensary,” Overholt said.

Overholt’s personal grow operation is a massive and expensive undertaking.

Just to get a grow room up and running costs about $15,000 for the lighting, watering and ventilation systems.

“Basically, the people I’m dealing with are all sick people,” Overholt explained. “So, if the insurance companies aren’t allowing payment in a normal manner, like in pharmacies, this burden falls on the patient. I have to get as efficient as I can to bring down my costs in order to make this work for everybody.”

It’s not uncommon for Overholt to get an electric bill for $2,000, or more. He also spends about $900 for three months-worth of fertilizers and organic growing aids, and another $2,000 for new soil each year. You can also add another $3,000 per month in labor costs.

Here’s what state lawmakers are now considering:

One bill would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to set up shop in municipalities that allow them, but it does put restrictions in place:

1. Dispensaries could not be within 1,000 feet of a school
   
2. They can’t sell marijuana that hasn’t been tested for mold and other impurities
   
3. Dispensaries wouldn’t be allowed to hire anyone 21-years of age or younger
   
4. They also could not hire someone who has a felony conviction for illegal drugs within the past 10 years.
   
5. The dispensaries cannot share a space with a physician or allow doctors to advertise in the shop.
   

A second measure would allow medical pot patients to use edibles, meaning they would not have to smoke marijuana to feel its effects.

It also requires pot products be specifically labeled.

These measures have already passed the state House and are now heading to the Senate floor where they could be amended.

Back in Montcalm County, that has caregivers and pot activists like Overholt and others lobbying lawmakers about pot’s potential benefits.

“We had one woman crying, saying she wishes her daughter would die, just so she doesn’t have to suffer anymore,” said Farage. “In every single case of these kids, they have gone through the system, seen their doctors and come with a book of medical records – literally – and this is their last option.”

Overholt is getting ready to welcome lawmakers and their aides from across Michigan on Sept. 6 to his farm to get a firsthand look at his operation and to explain to them the benefits of legal dispensaries and edible medical marijuana.

The community of Sheridan is already seeing some benefits to the medical marijuana industry. Overholt brought together members of the community, raising more than $20,000 to purchase a truck for the local fire department.

 

http://fox17online.com/2014/08/28/the-front-lines-of-the-medical-marijuana-fight/

[+Malamute]

Not the brightest bulb.

[phaquetoo]

Not the brightest bulb.

please elaborate, I dont remember the bust or court case or why he was shut down.

 

Peace

[+Malamute]

Anyone who opened a dispensary isn't the brightest bulb. :-)

 

 But to show the fact you are going to be WAAAAAY over your limits in a newspaper,.... while you are still in court on charges,... well... dim.

[bobandtorey]

please elaborate, I dont remember the bust or court case or why he was shut down.

 

Peace

 

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Even as he sentenced a Grand Rapids medical marijuana dispensary owner to probation, a Kent County judge called the state medical marijuana law "one of the worst statutes that was ever written and put into place."

David Overholt earlier pleaded no contest to delivery or manufacture of marijuana and on Thursday, Nov. 7, he was sentenced to two years of probation, a $1,000 fine and 150 hours of community service.

Kent County prosecutors charged Overholt after police in March raided his business, the Mid-Michigan Compassion Club on Leonard Street NW. Prosecutors and police were acting on a February ruling from the state Supreme Court that essentially banned all dispensaries statewide.

Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock said he was not going to order any jail time for Overholt, per an earlier agreement with prosecutors contingent upon him closing the dispensary by Oct. 31. The dispensary was closed.

Trusock used the sentencing as an opportunity to offer his own opinion about the state's medical marijuana law, passed by voters in 2008.

Related: Healing or dealing? Grand Rapids medical marijuana dispensary owner heads to trial

"I think the medical marijuana statute has become a nightmare for some good honest people," he said. "It just has to be one of the worst statutes that was ever written and put into place."

"There are courts all over that don't know how to handle it because it was such a poorly written law," Trusock said.

Related: Despite plea, marijuana dispensary case is far from over, says attorney

Trusock said he believed that Overholt was "trying to do the best you could under the circumstances."

"I realize you were trying to comply here, but you were not, according to the law," he said. "We certainly need some clarification from the state Court of Appeals or the state Supreme Court.

Overholt in September was prepared to take the case to trial, but at the last minute decided to enter a plea because the judge ruled that he could not use his status as a licensed medical marijuana caregiver as a defense.

Trusock sentenced him Thursday based on a "conditional" plea, meaning that Overholt may be able to still fight the charge if the state Court of Appeals rules he should be allowed to use his Medical Marijuana Act registration as a defense.

Before his sentencing, Overholt indicated he still believes he was following the law.

"I agree the law has many gray areas, but it was created by the people, for the people," he said.

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/11/kent_county_judge_sentences_me.html

[MiMedical]

I thought only the patient or caregiver could be in the grow room, perhaps I was wrong...

Edited August 30, 2014 by MiMedical

[bobandtorey]

Overholt is getting ready to welcome lawmakers and their aides from across Michigan on Sept. 6 to his farm  Lol

 

​I guess if you are a Lawmaker or  an Aid Law's don't apply 

[MiMedical]

That's just crazy though, the guys got some brass, that's for sure!

[bobandtorey]

I agree i can't wait to read that story in the News but i don't see that happening anytime soon

[phaquetoo]

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Even as he sentenced a Grand Rapids medical marijuana dispensary owner to probation, a Kent County judge called the state medical marijuana law "one of the worst statutes that was ever written and put into place."

David Overholt earlier pleaded no contest to delivery or manufacture of marijuana and on Thursday, Nov. 7, he was sentenced to two years of probation, a $1,000 fine and 150 hours of community service.

Kent County prosecutors charged Overholt after police in March raided his business, the Mid-Michigan Compassion Club on Leonard Street NW. Prosecutors and police were acting on a February ruling from the state Supreme Court that essentially banned all dispensaries statewide.

Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock said he was not going to order any jail time for Overholt, per an earlier agreement with prosecutors contingent upon him closing the dispensary by Oct. 31. The dispensary was closed.

Trusock used the sentencing as an opportunity to offer his own opinion about the state's medical marijuana law, passed by voters in 2008.

Related: Healing or dealing? Grand Rapids medical marijuana dispensary owner heads to trial

"I think the medical marijuana statute has become a nightmare for some good honest people," he said. "It just has to be one of the worst statutes that was ever written and put into place."

"There are courts all over that don't know how to handle it because it was such a poorly written law," Trusock said.

Related: Despite plea, marijuana dispensary case is far from over, says attorney

Trusock said he believed that Overholt was "trying to do the best you could under the circumstances."

"I realize you were trying to comply here, but you were not, according to the law," he said. "We certainly need some clarification from the state Court of Appeals or the state Supreme Court.

Overholt in September was prepared to take the case to trial, but at the last minute decided to enter a plea because the judge ruled that he could not use his status as a licensed medical marijuana caregiver as a defense.

Trusock sentenced him Thursday based on a "conditional" plea, meaning that Overholt may be able to still fight the charge if the state Court of Appeals rules he should be allowed to use his Medical Marijuana Act registration as a defense.

Before his sentencing, Overholt indicated he still believes he was following the law.

"I agree the law has many gray areas, but it was created by the people, for the people," he said.

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/11/kent_county_judge_sentences_me.html

 

Thank You Bob!

 

Peace

[Wild Bill]

Overholt is getting ready to welcome lawmakers and their aides from across Michigan on Sept. 6 to his farm  Lol

 

​I guess if you are a Lawmaker or  an Aid Law's don't apply 

 

I'd love to see a raid while they're all there. Charge them all with loitering in a drug house.

[MiMedical]

I'd love to see a raid while they're all there. Charge them all with loitering in a drug house.

LOL!

[resinxtractor]

$2000 electric bill....Thats definetly not a sec4 legal grow. I run 2 1000 watters in flower and 1 1000 watter in veg and 2 18k mini splits and i run up about $400 a month. The two 1000's gavita's in flower will pull 1g per watt easily. witch if harvested all at once would put me way over.

[Highlander]

$2000 electric bill....Thats definetly not a sec4 legal grow. I run 2 1000 watters in flower and 1 1000 watter in veg and 2 18k mini splits and i run up about $400 a month. The two 1000's gavita's in flower will pull 1g per watt easily. witch if harvested all at once would put me way over.

Yeah, people like this tend to give us section 4 compliant folks a bad name, and they skew people's understanding of the law. The article and quotes from the patient/caregiver seem to suggest that it might cost over $2,300 per month in expenses and $3,000 per month in labor to supply six people with meds.....so over $1,000 per patient for meds.

[Wild Bill]

Yeah, people like this tend to give us section 4 compliant folks a bad name, and they skew people's understanding of the law. The article and quotes from the patient/caregiver seem to suggest that it might cost over $2,300 per month in expenses and $3,000 per month in labor to supply six people with meds.....so over $1,000 per patient for meds.

 

He must think everyone is as stupid as he is.

[garyfisher]

Even if he claims 40hours per week x 4 weeks per month. 3000dollars per month divided by 160 hours per month is ~18 dollars per hour labor charge

[t-pain]

I guess if you are a Lawmaker or an Aid Law's don't apply

merely being in the presence is protected.

see, the court found that if two people were growing together, they werent merely in the presence....

 

dont ask me, i just live here.

 

the tough part will be keeping his grow secure while theres people in and out.

Edited September 2, 2014 by t-pain

[phaquetoo]

I didnt leave my home for less than 200 a day,, I will stay at home and take care of my garden for minimum wage or lower though, also for peice of mind, its kinda like my dog, my dog loves me no matter what and so do my plants!

 

im happy just seeing things actualy count on me for life and me giving them life,,,wow am I a god? lol

 

Peace

[beourbud]

Drug Dealer  Fraud

 

This guy needs lockin up ....for looooooong time

 

I have way too intimate experience with this group.  

 

They set up shop in BR posing as a house for battered women,  taking food and $$ for needy and did nothing but sell drugs to anyone.

 

How do i know? I was a member and  They used my address as there business address without my knowledge or permission,   Yeah thats right of all the addresses to use.  So when the county leo and state leo and dea and cment came they came to me to.  Those bastages took a lot of $$$,  food and clothing from good compasionate people who were fooled by this group and just stuck it in the basement where it flooded and rotted.  Nothing went to help the poor or battered women.  It was a fraud.  

 

Then they started using prostitutes to sell and deliver.   Trust me if kids are involved with this group they are probably involved in child porn.

 

The town hates them now and is the main reason anything MMJ is suspect.

 

It was managed by a dealer  who eventually ratted out all the people who were bringing there overages to them  ....snitch rat bastardo 

SO DONT SELL OVERAGES TO ANYONE because when they get busted they ARE going to rat you out!!!

 

Then they allowed leo to set up shop and trap the rest.

 

Do not believe anything this guy or his group says....its all lies for profit.

 

Need any more info pm me.

 

Need a witness pm me

 

How ironic is a son of a cop republican concentrate maker backing this fkn low life.

 

You want to know what motivates me...these drug dealers ruining it for the rest of us.

Edited September 2, 2014 by beourbud

[beourbud]

Anyone defending this low life is no friend to the MMJ community.

 

Oh and hope you all had a Great Labor Day  

Edited September 2, 2014 by beourbud

[beourbud]

I would like to make one more point.

 

My experience with these criminals and subsequent leo showed me that if you are legit the cops dont care...they have better things to do.

 

Stay legal it is not that hard.   It sure is alot better than 2007

 

We come too far to loose ground because of greedy dealers posing as Mother Tereasa

[t-pain]

some old news

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/04/grand_rapids_marijuana_dispens_1.html

 

"The law already backs up what we're doing," Overholt said. "This has to go to the supreme court."

 

guess he gave up his supreme court run?