Marijuana raid: Cherry Top Farms compliant with state, but feds still seize plants, medicine

I never said that they were legal. I said to stay out of trouble so as to not disrupt the people watching. I'm very well aware that no one is legal yet. Thanks for clarifying.

Truth-"I was a caregiver under the old definition"

NO ONE has the AUTHORITY to change the definition of the Colorado Constitution!  NO one, not the general assembly not MMIG ---  ONLY a vote of "we the people".

But you and MMIG and and the general assembly and law enforcement (what a TEAM) all seem to think you have some god damn right to HIJACK our god damn constitution.  And then you tell us to sit back and accept your BS. F off, un identified MMIG member.

These people couldn't make the change from a basement grow to a business? 

Personally I CHOSE not to (hb1284) grow thousands of plants.  Your language set caregivers up to be considered "big time drug dealers, manufactures etc.", when they NEVER were.  This is a set up for the FEDS to bust people who used to be constitutionally protected caregivers with 10 year mandatory mins. YOU ARE IN ON THE STING and WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT while you break the law of the land, the constitution.  And you sound smart enough to understand you were used.

Actually I'm from Colorado and I have lived here for over 30 years. I know what I need to know about cannabis. I started one of the first dispensaries in Colorado and I have been growing for 10 years. I was a caregiver under the old definition. I very much understand how this industry has changed and I personally think it changed for the better. We are beginning a revolution here in Colorado. A real regulatory scheme that other states are starting to follow. Say what you guys want about MMIG but I don’t see any of the other organizations making trips to DC to actually sit down and talk with our delegates in a respectful fashion. When I say respectful I mean not dressed in tie died clothing with picket signs. I mean looking and acting the part to make a real difference. Is there something bad about that?  I don’t see other organizations helping fight the Ban in Fort Collins. I don’t see other organizations fighting the DUID Bill. Some people were put out by regulation either because of lack of money or lack of business sense. Just like any other emerging industry some people are going to lose and some will win. When people try and talk about patients losing their rights because care givers aren’t allowed to grow weed in their houses any more I laugh. Those people just couldn’t make the transition from basement to real business. Most patients don’t care where they get their meds as long as they can get them and be legal. That’s it. They are never going back to the old care giver model so why kick a dead horse? If you really want to try and fight that you are going to have a long and disappointing life. Try fighting for something they can actually change. FYI I’m not a member of MMIG but I do employ my own lobbyist. My lobbyist and there’s usually see things pretty eye to eye. MMIG is not the enemy, the federal government is. You should be fighting that fight instead of wasting your time worrying about what MMIG is doing because if the Feds close it down MMIG or not it won’t matter because everyone loses.

Who did you get your weed from before brother or are you one of those people who don't know crap about cannabis who only pretends they do.We the people of colorado wont tolerate fake people who say they are about the movement but don't even smoke or ingest cannabis because how can you be a "caregiver" if you don't walk the walk but you only talk the talk.Colorado was fine before your group popped up on the scene and ruined it for everybody but them.Get real.Because there are true ganjaman and women and we the people know who the are they are the real movement.Not you and the mmig or whatever group the splinter off into.

The Do Family was not a family of Cops. They were a family of drug dealers and they make the industry look terrible. You should be happy these kind of people are getting in trouble. It makes it much better for the legitimate Medical Marijuana opperations in this town to opperate without this kind of people.

Hes not. That guy and his Dad have been around for a long time. They have a dispensary on Federal. They are deffinetly not cops.

Total lie Mrs. Twirling Hippy :) FYI keep your dog away from your kitchen. I will help in your inspections. Peace... 

So you really think that the government was going to let people grow weed in their houses on a commercial scale? Listen, I use to do it to. I had a home grow and it was amazing. The problem was there were no rules. Seriously, all I had to do was get patients from Dispensary operations like The Green Door and I was off to the races. If we ever wanted to recognized as a real industry they had to put up rules and regulations just like every other business in the United States: Real Estate, Stocks, Banking, Produce, Farming, Pharmacy’s. All of these industries have their own government agency watching them. Further, growing weed in your house is dangerous. On top of people abusing the rules, a personal residence isn’t built to house a production. Fire code, building code, zoning, neighborhood HOA’s, Children. Commercial facilities built to code in designated areas are the only way to go. They don’t produce baby seats in neighborhoods, why would they have weed be any different??? I’m not trying to insult but you have to look at the bigger picture. If you think they are going to go back to the caregiver model then I invite you to try and convince them. You will be pissing into the wind

hey scandal lets not forget that MMIG also helped with the original version of HB1250, and are the primary promoters of the DUID bill 1261 which was defeated thanks to the tireless efforts of some of the good folks posting here, they were so upset that their pandering to the law enforcement's effort to keep a hold on the cash cow of prosecuting patients failed to make the cut, that they made the heat is on posters and ads with patient money and sent them out to MMCs anyway in spite of 1261's failure. Cause they think the best way to support patients is to use patient's* own money to take away their right to drive, expose them to losing their jobs, add to their problems if they are in a custody battle for their kids, and all the other awesome helpful attributes that go along with getting a DUI... *(all MMIG members are paying to play politics, the money they use to do so is collected unwittingly from the patients who shop at their MMCs)Educated Patients Boycott MMIG.

your    =   belonging to youyou're  =  you are

Its people like you and the mmig that have ruined it for everybody but them and there cronies.We had great medical marijuana before these huge warehouses started popping up the caregivers were providing dispensaries with QUALITY med's now all you see is crap everywhere.This so called group took out caregivers because they were there strongest competition and they are trying to get rid of the rest of the mom and pops also.The colorado medical marijuana movement has been ruined by these special interest groups who are only interested in them selves and not the patients.This group is responsible for dismantling amendment 20,cameras recording patients committing a crime,ruining caregivers, making dispensary owners sign away there constitutional rights and there power of attorney and making fees so outrageous that the people that belong in the movement had to close up shop and now were left with money grubbing hateful people who dont give to shits about the patients because if the did they wouldn't of helped to ruin amendment 20 which was the best model for this state.This is a movement not a industry you corporate P.O.S.

Well then I will send you a gift while your sitting in Jail. Guys like you are going to ruin it for the everyone.

Thats what I'm saying!!! High Country is a Jack Ass!!!

Flaunt your shit and your cell mate will be proud that you are too

No one has a license per this story.  Apparently first they need to pay the extortion fee's to the state.  So i stand by my statement that no licenses have been issued. But the Mecendo raids yesterday, of town zip ties didn't seem to matter much to the FEDS who busted them.  Again read the CA ruling I posted above--The court ruled that NO ONE legalized anything--only decrim of possession--not sales and dispensing.  They FEDS do NOT CARE about state issued mmj licenses permitting ANY business in mmj--ONLY patient possession is decrim.

http://blogs.westword.com/late...

Five licensed MMC's to date...

When you are trying to tell someone what an idiot they are, you should try using spell check or know how to spell when you do so! And should educate yourself on MMIG and what they really do for people. Ultimately they are concerned with what they get out of it!!

Good thing I'm not in MMIG but do what you must. I hope you guys have all your ducks in a row as well :). Dirty kitchens will be the end of people like you. Keep your dog away from the edibles. Yea, I know who you are. Pretty cool how I do that.

Oddly this was a concern I voiced during the DOR panels, at that time I was vehemently opposed to annonymous complaints being used against MMCs as fodder for raids since the new MMJ industry is so competitive.... Oh the irony that the person who shot me down on that because "little old ladies would be afraid for their lives to step forward to report crimes if they weren't anonymous" has had his very proximate business name tied to this fiasco, PAY ATTENTION...  follow that rabbit down the hole, and it starts to get deep and dark real quick.   

For the record a certain somebody uses the title "council" for RR, but I doubt he could pass the bar exam...

I suggest somebody ask Matt Brown of CMMR what he thinks of Mr Elliot's "career" prospects as a paid lobbyist. 

PS thanks to guest for paraphrasing my newsletter from last week 

Good luck with your fight. I will be there to congradulate you when you win.

Lies, Arbelaez is the imbecile who "applauded" the Denver City Council's manipulation of the zoning code to shut down 50+ OPGLs -- readers could pretty much invert everything you say and have a far better understanding of the truth.

Your lying, Truth. MMIG is the .org that was created after their first one, CMMR, got such a bad reputation that it was abandoned.

Mike Elliot came to MMIG after he worked on El Paso's mmj ban election. He was not a founder. He is a paid shill. Nothing more, nothing less.

Norton A. is not the owner of Riverrock, Tony V. is.

What else are you going to lie about, Truth? I'm waiting - bring it!

Few people know about Mike Elliott's recent trip to DC. Since you know about this, you are obviously either Mike Elliott, Norton (I'm a buckethead) A., Josh Stanley, or one of these loser's goons, or possibly, Joel Stanley from Colorado Springs...

Make no mistake, MMIG is a group of people that will screw you over. They will do anything to grab any power they see. Fortunately, many, many people in the CO mmj scene know this and are more than will to fight MMIG at every chance they get...

Get ready MMIG - we are gunning for you. Your not all that - you just had more money than us. I look forward to taking you all down!!!

TRUTH-- You still have not provided ANY evidence to me causing harm to anyone in the state. 

But I will respond to your comments.

Quote Truth--"Do you really think that the caregiver model was the be all end all and that the state would have kept that? If you do then you’re crazy. " 

Do I believe the constitution is the law of the land?  Yes.  I think it's "crazy" you think the constitution can be stomped out by state statute.  There is case law to back that up.  I do think I learned that in 7th grade government/history class, in public school at that.

"Were protected by the constitution and no other State can say that. We are for profit. What else do you want?" 

Apparently you haven't read the memo and I need to continue the elementary education.  On Aug 18, 2011 the Colorado Court of Appeals (the second highest court in the state) ruled 2-1 in Beinor V ICOA that marijauna is NOT LEGAL for anyone in Colorado.  They said that qualifying patients decriminalized possession of mmj----not use, not dispensing, not sales/profit.  These things they ruled as ILLEGAL, UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. 

So until we get the Colorado Supreme Court to over rule Beinor--based on the dissenting judges opinion, the law of the land is the case law created in Beinor.  NO ONE HAS LEGAL MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN COLORADO.

And then the Oct 4th ruling in Pack V the Superior Court of Los Angeles County city of Long Beach says Federal Law preempts ALL state statutes and local regulations.  This means ALL businesses operating under hb1284 are ILLEGAL in the eyes of the FEDS, NO DIFFERENT than CALIFORNIA. 

I'm not making this shit up.  I wish I was.  I'm sorry you hate the messenger so you refuse to accept the facts, but that doesn't change the facts.   The case law is there and that is all that means anything when it comes to  ENFORCEMENT. 

And I'm still looking for your example of how I have harmed anyone?   

I often disagree with Chippi but this time you are the one who is way off. The DOJ has always said patients and caregivers are not a concern. Pharmaceutical commercial facilities with regulations are not warehouses full of shitty weed, don't try to make people think any marijuana coming from these places are safer than a basement grow. A good grower will always harvest better buds in their own home than an employee at a warehouse, just ask all the employed "master growers" if their basement batch at home looks anything like what they grow at work. No dispensary is protected by the constitution, they all waived their rights for a privilege. Your opinion of this "cool system" we have is strange especially when you say stuff like ''no black market'', that has to be a joke right? Feds can seize everything and come back much later to press charges, just because some people weren't arrested doesn't mean they wont be later, they took everyones personal info and State badges, I think they did that for a reason.

Thanks, I know I'm brilliant :). Just because I'm brilliant doesen't make you any smarter though. :) Seriously, think about it.

Sorry I have a life to attend to before I have time to blog. Do you really think that the caregiver model was the be all end all and that the state would have kept that? If you do then you’re crazy. People growing in their houses on a commercial scale is drug dealing. No federal agency would be ok with that. To give the state a model they would accept was the only way to go. You want to call it medicine well they don't make legitimate medicine in basements. They make it in commercial facilities with regulations. Then they track it, and then they tax it. It’s pretty simple. This applicication process did many things to help this state’s medical marijuana program. It made people be completely transparent and to the eyes of the rest of the United States that’s pretty amazing. Now you have recognized businesses that are taxable and accountable for their product. No black market. It will take a little more time but this is an amazing moddle. Were protected by the constitution and no other State can say that. We are for profit. What else do you want? People that break the law and don't follow the rules should be punished. They didn't arrest the Center owners. That’s pretty cool. That shows respect for our laws. They did bust the family but that family was pretty dumb. Get off your soap box. We have a pretty cool system.

Did MMIG finally get wind that you were spewing shit on the blogs forcing me to respond, giving me the opportunity to address MMIG's skeletons publicly, again? 

Where did you go, TRUTH?  NO evidence to back up what you say about me?

"I was going to stay civil but you really are a piece of work."

Hey, I was a psy major, so I understand your aggression to the FACTS.  I'm still waiting on some reference to exactly what I have done to harm anyone?  Are you intelligent enough to explain your postilion or are you going to continue to stomp your feet and cry? 

I sign my name because I stand by what I write.  I can stand by what I write.  Now how about you, mister anonymous.

Your so full of shit its not even funny. No one on MMIG's board has any affilications with pharma. You think I tell lies your so fucking out there its not even funny. FYI, the rummors about you are true. Your a crazy lady with un educated ideas that no one wants to here. No one of any importance any way. Maybe people that are to high to realize that you hurt the industy more than you help it. I was going to stay civil but you really are a piece of work. You should have stayed anomous because now people really know how full of shit you are.

All you have is to call me a hippy woman?  whatever that is....yes your brilliant, funny stuff.

I only cut and paste links that prove what I say-- apparently at least I am educated enough to understand evidence needs to be provided.  And I have read the law more then most.  But since your so concerned with me not being educated enough for you, could you please site anything that I have said that is BS--ya know like you referenced?  Or are you gonna keep talking out your ass?

Do you have ANY evidence of me picketing an idiots house or anyone's house ever?  So why try to lead the readers down some BS path again?  I mean every comment you have made seems to be worthless when it comes to TRUTH.  Please get past Psy 101, transference issues.   Afraid I will picket some loser who spews shit on blogs?  I don't have the time or the care and NEVER HAVE.  But you clearly swallowed the MMIG propaganda on how Kathleen is crazy.  Good for you. And now we understand your choice in identity--Liars need to clarify they are not, hoping no one will notice?

The TRUTH IS mmj was taxed and regulated like ALL other business in the US until passage of HB1284.  And I won't even take time to respond to your other irrational, un supported claims.  I have done background checks on MMIG members and NCIA members and MPP members and DPA members.  All tied to Monsanto, GW Pharma and Beyer and the FED--yes the federal reserve banks.  F U and your reefer madness propaganda.  We don't need to track the safest therapeutic substance known to man more than we tracked the plutonium at Rocky Flats so a few millionaires can own the industry.

This Chippi chick seems to think she knows everything but if you read what she says its pretty much all bull shit :). Preach on hippy woman with a lack of education. Do a little less cut and paste and a little more reading of the law. Thats just my sugestion. Your making us all look like were still in Elementry school. Please don't take offence to that but seriously think about it. Thanks

As for the name change it will never happen. I chose to stay anomous only in fear of people like you chanting with picket signs outside my house. I see your name is Kathleen. Well Kathleen I'm glad you gave me your name but people like me don't demonstrate we take care of business and stay focused on goals. You don't have to worry about people like me because we have more important things to do with our time and brains than picket someones house and make crazy cracks that have no backing to them. How about actually helping the cause by not doing and saying crazy shit. Rather take some time and put real thought and fact behind what you say. I bet if you check the backgrounds of all the MMIG members you won't see one person with ties to Pharma. Just saying maybe you should speak with facts insted of making yourself sound like a jack ass.

Wow you think MMIG is big Pharma??? Well then maybe you are the idiot you claim not to be. Not one member of MMIG has ever had anything to do with big pharma or tobacco. Most of them were just plain old people that came together and realized they had a biger voice that way. The companies that I know are involved in MMIG use the money that their barley making to help fund the effort. Un paid people or paid people doesent matter. What matters are the results. Just a little fyi, it takes money to win something like this. Maybe in your fantacy world it doesent but in real life it does. The caregiver model would have never held up. People don't want this substance in neighborhoods. They want it in controled comercial enviorments like every other substance people consume. They want it regulated and taxed. Figure it out

 -- awesome, horsehit.

God, at least you acknowledge that MMIG brought us HB1284 and SB109.  Now try to understand PATIENTS and CAREGIVER RIGHTS were STOMPED out in both those bills language via over regulation of the "centers"

TRUTH--  HOW about a name change (still anonymous of course) to "MY truth" instead of truth?  And I challenge your comments.  I know PLENTY of UNPAID activists who spend way more time actually working for patient rights, in CO and nationwide.  MMIG employees or lobbyists were PAID to screw patients and ma and pa's on behalf of big pharma when they helped author hb1284 and sb109.  Please....we are not idiots you wish we were.  Lets see how much support the MMIG team gets here.

Get off the pipe Guest. MMIG is the reason why you have HB 1284 and HB 1043. These are companies with educated management that are creating this industy by using their brians insted of picket signs. The only agenda that MMIG has is to make sure Colorado has a Medical Marijuana Industry.

I thought Norton was with RiverRock? ... the dispensary I'm referring to north of Cherry Top is still on Brighton Blvd between where it shifts on to the diagonal and York.

I know that Garden of the Gods is also around there, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't it either.  It's clearly not an area I'm that familiar with -- but now that I'm confused, I'll probably  drive over there later and figure it out.

have a great weekend everyone. thanks for commenting.

MMIG is a LOBBYIST group financed by special interests new to the MMJ industry in Colorado. MMIG's undisclosed membership and private board has a hidden agenda responsible for this assault on your freedom as a patient.

Just so you guys are all aware, Norton along with Mike Eliott and the membership of MMIG have done more amazing things for the Colorado Medical Marijuana Community than any one else. These are the companies that are actually stepping up and making a difference. Not many other people pay local and federal lobiests to fight for patients rights and spend their spair time at the capital meeting with people who are in positions to make a real difference. Take trips out to D.C. to educate our local deligates on what we need as an industry. Raise money for Canidates and build respectable relationships with our leaders. These companies spend their hard earned money on building the industry moddle for the United states to eventually follow. I bet that no one that gives MMIG a hard time has don'e 1/20th of the work that these guys have done for this industry. Waving flags and demonstrating outside the capital does nothing. What these guys doing is creating an industry for the people. Not big Pharma but the actual people of Colorado. We get to build our own industry so how about being part of the solution insted of part of the problem. I dare anyone reading this blog to put in one quarter of the work that Mmig members put in and we will have ourselves a very special business moddel here in Colorado that we own. Not big tobacco and not big pharma but us.

Um your an idiot. Norton Arbelaez is the the Chair of MMIG and he owns River Rock. Norton along with a few other amazing people including Mike Eliot founded MMIG. Get your facts strait jack ass!!!!

The HUGE dispensary north is Norton Alverez (SP?) of MMIG. 

Since I was just there in the area yesterday, maybe I can clarify:

River Rock is actually down 48th several blocks at York or Josephine. You can't even see the intersection in the picture I snapped. That said, there is another HUGE dispensary just north of Cherry Top, however, that would be 'just left of the frame'; I turned around in their parking lot when I snapped this picture yesterday. (there may be a RR sign to, I didn't notice though).

The sign is on the right. ;)