Invoice from firm that advertises in pro-marijuana magazines led to arrest of Press sports columnist

[Bozita]

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/03/invoice_from_firm_that_adverti.html

Invoice from firm that advertises in pro-marijuana magazines led to arrest of Press sports columnist David Mayo
by John Agar | The Grand Rapids Press
Wednesday March 18, 2009, 8:33 AM

GRAND RAPIDS -- Longtime Press sports columnist David Mayo, accused of growing marijuana in his Northeast Side home, was targeted for investigation after police tracked shipping invoices of a company that advertises in "High Times" magazine, court records showed.

Armed with that information, police sought utility bills, which showed Mayo's electric use was more than twice that of his neighbors.

Police also put his home under surveillance and determined he did not bring his trash to the curb, which is common among marijuana growers, police said.

Investigators in early January also noted a "large amount of mold" under the eaves on the outside of his house, which suggested to them strong grow lights were being used inside the residence, heating the room where marijuana was being grown, and causing condensation on the exterior.

The allegations were contained in search-warrant affidavits made public this week.

Sheriff's Lt. Kevin Kelley confirmed police based the investigation on items shipped by companies that advertised in "High Times" and other pro-marijuana publications.

more...

[villager]

1. Jury nullification may be the only way to end these stupid drug laws...

n/t

[endless october]

2. end the drug war.

[WeDidIt]

3. 32 ounces?

In mason jars? Two pounds?

The guy was a connoisseur. He didn't sell it, he grew it for personal consumption. Ten to one says it's at least six different strains.

[anigbrowl]

10. Maybe, maybe not. Where I live (CA) that would be worth $6400 at wholesale prices.

it might have been personal consumption, but even when I'm in the money and smoking daily, I still don't go through more than 1/8th a week. 32 ounces would last me a few years. That's a LOT of weed for one person or even a couple. I don't approve of the drug laws, but I think it quite likely he was making a few bucks on the side, or else had a large number of really happy friends (who, hopefully, will fund his legal expenses).

[Ghost in the Machine]

15. Anyone who would pay $3200 for a pound of weed needs to be kicked in the nuts...

$200/oz *wholesale*?? There's no money in that at all...


32 ounces would last me about 32 weeks, if I had it to smoke...

[anigbrowl]

17. Quality weed sells for about $40-50 per 8th here.

$40 is a pretty good price for a bag, and is about the same as you'd pay if you have a medical marijuana card. People who just buy in the street rather than from a regular dealer would pay around $50-60. That's for quality weed, not the cheap stuff from Mexico, which is about half that. So a small-time dealer buying nice stuff from a small-time grower would make a 100% markup at those prices. I've known some people who grow/deal in those kind of quantities/prices for some extra pocket money, rather than as their main occupation, maybe moving a few ounces a week just among their social circle.

I find it hard to believe you'd go through an ounce a week unless you don't need to work and have nothing else to do. I quite like to wake and bake, and lived in Amsterdam for several years where I could literally go next door to buy all I wanted, plus I've grown my own. Even if you do burn through an ounce a week, that's still an 8 month supply...I don't buy that it was just for personal use, unless he was a member of the Wu-Tang clan.

[Ghost in the Machine]

22. Wow, that's amazing...

We grew some Purple Afghanistan down in the Everglades once, and it sold for $125 per quarter oz, but it was exceptional bud. This was back in the mid 80's.

We have a lot of high quality locally grown bud around here, and it runs $40 per 1/4 oz. I can't afford to buy any, haven't been able to for a while... but I have a couple of friends that stop by and burn one just about every day.

I can see spending that kind of money every once in a while, as a special "treat", but I'd quit smoking before I'd pay $40-$50 for an 1/8th all the time... growing my own isn't an option right now.. I have 2 teenagers in the house.

[dysfunctional press]

28. yeah...with two teenagers in the house-

you can probably make some great connections pretty easily. :hippie:

[dysfunctional press]

31. similar prices around here...

but the more you buy, the more you save.

[MrSlayer]

24. The really good stuff is $400 an ounce.

People absolutely pay that price.

[dysfunctional press]

27. the stuff that sells for $60/quarter around here can be had for $650/half pound.

you just have to know who and how to ask.

[dysfunctional press]

26. yep.

and that's pretty much the rate i do go thru it...

and "i've heard" that the plenty good stuff can be had for $650/half pound.

but then, i don't sell it.

my arrangement works for me.

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. Tracked the invoices --

How, exactly, does that work? Did the cops buy a copy of High Times, then go to each company that advertised in it and demand copies of their sales invoices? Wouldn't that fall under "illegal search"?

Or, are the cops RUNNING the company, advertising in High Times, and investigating anyone who places an order. Wouldn't THAT be entrapment?

And "didn't bring his trash to the curb". What's THAT about?

There's a LOT of bullshit here.

[WeDidIt]

6. Actually, it's a barnburner industry

Many hydro shops cooperate directly with the DEA and offer up copies of everything they sell.

They get paid by their customers and paid by the DEA.

It's a short term business model, to be sure. And you can count on just about any advertiser in those magazines to be working directly with the DEA.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. So they actually stand to LOSE money if pot is legalized.

They'd get the same level of clientele as companies that sell home-brewing kits, and LOSE the DEA money.

[anigbrowl]

11. I doubt the DEA pays them

More like giving them access to sales records is what allows them to stay in business and not be punished for advertising in the grow mags.

[WeDidIt]

14. There's nothing illegal about advertising in magazines. n/t

[anigbrowl]

16. No, but there are laws about selling drug paraphernalia

and people have been busted for not playing ball with the authorities even though they weren't directly involved in selling drugs. I don't think this is fair, but that's how things are - the threat of DEA investigation or persecution is a fact, so companies likely share information to prevent it, rather than collecting money from the DEA for doing so.

[WeDidIt]

18. No matter how you want to spin it

Hydroponics equipment and high intensity dishcarge lamps are NOT drug paraphenelia.

[anigbrowl]

19. Tell it to the DEA, not me.

http://www.apfn.org/thewinds/1997/11/hydroponics.html They've used these tactics for a long time. Just because I am pointing it out as a matter of fact doesn't mean I endorse it, so please keep your accusations to 'spin' to yourself.

[immoderate]

21. Zip-loc bags and disposable lighters are paraphenalia in Arizona.

I'm sure it's similar in other states, but that where I got first hand experience.

--imm

[dysfunctional press]

30. i'm surprised that reynold's wrap isn't...

some of my best pipes have been made of nothing but.

[immoderate]

33. Who says it isn't?

I have no doubt that if you have Reynolds Wrap when you are caught with drugs, they would tack on another felony.

--imm

[dysfunctional press]

29. and those laws can vary from state to state.

"aka tommy chong" is a great little flick that illustrates that point pretty well.

http://www.akatommychong.com/

[WeDidIt]

13. Yup

And many of the brick and mortar hydro shops sell homebrew gear, too.

[Bozita]

23. I'm at a loss to figure how "didn't bring his trash to the curb" is a sign of growing marijuana

:shrug:

[alfredo]

32. Nobody lives in the house, they just use it as a grow house.

[Bozita]

34. Makes sense. Thanks.

[alfredo]

35. I have my moments

[Warren DeMontague]

5. Yay! Yay! Yippee!!!

Our tax dollars at work. Hooray!



...

:eyes:

[Warren DeMontague]

7. So, uh, what the fuck is going on with you guys, over in Michigan, anyway?

Shit, most of us are running a serious budget deficit in our states. You all must have a MAJOR fucking surplus if your cops have nothing better to do than troll High Times and Facebook looking for potheads.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5274942&mesg_id=5274942

[Ganja Ninja]

8. Wow they got themselves a big time ciminal there.

Thank God the streets are safe for the good people like bankers and right wing pundits.

[anigbrowl]

12. Damn straight. If he was profiting, he might have bought a new car or something.

Clearly, Michigan doesn't need this kind of economic productivity.

[libodem]

20. Police State

[dysfunctional press]

25. SOMEBODY should have looked into an LED growlight system.

http://shop.sunshine-systems.com/main.sc

oops.

our electric bill spiked HUGH in dec/jan- because we installed a 1300 gallon hot tub outside- and the weather was cold as f@#!. i was half-expecting the dea to come a'knockin', as i've purchased grow lights in the past.

but at this point- i'm just waiting for illinois to become the next medical mj state...me and my arthritic spine are hoping it's CLOSE.