Michigan law enforcement has once again been caught engaging in questionable practices when it comes to the state’s medical marijuana program.

Last week, The Compassionate Chronicles revealed that a number of county sheriffs have been using money from the Michigan Medical Marihuana Fund to purchase iPads, Tasers, and new trucks – all of which are not specified under the brass tacks of the law.

The law signed in 2014 by Governor Rick Snyder states that the fund is to be used by local sheriffs “for the operation and oversight of the Michigan medical marihuana program… operation and oversight grants are for education, communication and enforcement of the Michigan medical marihuana act.”

A total of $3 million has gone into the fund, but only $167,000 has been distributed. That’s because only four counties have applied and been approved for grants. Yet, these departments are not using the money for its intended purpose.

In Macomb County, where the local sheriff’s department received more than $63,000, the report shows that officers “did not have the opportunity to attend training,” but the department did purchase a 2015 Dodge Durango and a trailer “to assist” them in investigating participants in the medical marijuana program.

The Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office, which collected nearly $19,000, spent their money on a trailer to haul their ATVs, dress clothing for public presentations, and other clothing needed, perhaps, to look fashionable while conducting raids. However, the report also indicates that almost $4,800 was spent on iPads and around $5,400 on Tasers.

Other jurisdictions cashed in on the fund to pay their officers’ wages. In Lapeer County, which was given over $36,000, the department spent 86 percent of it to pay salaries. The rest, while not documented in detail, was said to have gone toward equipment and evidence storage.

Not all of the four counties approved for grants avoided participation in educational programs designed to help them better understand the medical marijuana program. The St. Clair County Drug Task Force “did attend a much-needed 3 day training in Lansing regarding medical marijuana grow operations.” Yet, the force still spent the majority (81 percent) of their allotted $48,917 on paying officer salaries.

 

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