Protesters Speak Out Against Sane Tactics

[t-pain]

http://www.petoskeynews.com/featured-pnr/protesters-speak-out-against-sane-tactics/article_8117551e-f9a4-5cb7-b8b2-be32eec3e7d2.html

 

Posted: Friday, September 4, 2015 7:57 am

 

Matt Mikus (231) 439-9394 - mmikus@petoskeynews.com

 

PETOSKEY – A group of about 15 people marched around a downtown block Thursday in protest against Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement, the multi-county police task force.

 

"We're protesting law enforcement raiding legal cannabis growing facilities that are providing medicine for people. And we're protesting the way they conduct their raids in front of children," said protester James Dyer.

Protesters said they believe they are targeted for using medical marijuana, and the narcotics teams are overly aggressive when conducting searches.

Some claimed they were forced to the ground, or authorities arrested them on technicalities when they were trying to follow the medical marijuana law. One protester said that officers desecrated an urn of ashes of a child when conducting a raid.

 

"They need to stop the way they treat their victims. They easily relegate us away as just a pot head or a drug addict. But even a drug addict doesn't deserve to be treated the way they treat us," said Dyer.

 

Dyer added that protesters plan to be back outside Emmet County Courthouse multiple times this year to raise awareness.

 

Detective Lt. Ken Mills of the Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement team was unaware of the protest Thursday. He said he knows that people who deal with his officers are often in an unfortunate situation.

 

"When we come with a warrant, it's probably not going to be a happy circumstance," said Mills.

 

Mills also said his team does not have an ability to check who is currently allowed to have medical marijuana. He said if they receive a tip about cannabis, their first question is whether the person has a medical marijuana card.

"But we don't have any way to confirm that. The only way to confirm is by contact with the individual," Mills said.

 

When asked about the claim regarding ashes, Mills said it was unfortunate to hear, but didn't know the details regarding that incident. He also asked that any individual who was upset about the way a raid was handled could contact him personally to discuss it and place their complaint.

[Restorium2]

Detective Lt. Ken Mills of the Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement team: He said he knows that people who deal with his officers are often in an unfortunate situation.

 

He is saying that just because you are a medical marijuana patient you will eventually be in an unfortunate position with his officers. Discriminated against. He spit that out to the press and now he has to live with what he said. There's no solid legal/constitutional ground for him to stand on with that statement. What he said describes unconstitutional behavior. People getting treated badly just because they choose one legal medicine over another. The constitution does not let the end justify the means in these situations. He needs to be schooled. His neck is out there ten miles...

[t-pain]

what you are saying is that these protestors should be suing, rather than protesting, for having their mmma rights stampeded on.

[Restorium2]

He also asked that any individual who was upset about the way a raid was handled could contact him personally to discuss it and place their complaint. 

 

No freakin' way buddy. You are going to court and eventually you will get a judge that is fair, or a jury that listens to reason and understands what is right and what is wrong. 

[Restorium2]

what you are saying is that these protestors should be suing, rather than protesting, for having their mmma rights stampeded on.

Yup. I was writing the answer as you were asking the question. You have to be a victim first though, sad to say. That's why they choose their victims wisely.