July 10, 2006
Press Release: Arraignment of Medical Marijuana Patient and Political Activist
Contact: Myke Folkes, Compassionate Coalition, email: myke113@yahoo.com
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Medical marijuana patient and political activist, Granny Green, was arraigned July 10, 2006, in Spokane County Superior Court on two counts of Felony Manufacture of a Controlled Substance (marijuana) and Felony Manufacture of a Controlled Substance (marijuana) with Intent to Deliver.
The charges stem from a joint undercover surveillance operation conducted by federal DEA agents with the Regional Enforcement Team (RET) and County’s Special Investigations Unit at a medical marijuana meeting and mini-hempfest May 7, 2005, at the Big Easy.
Granny's home was raided military-style on May 18, 2005 by fourteen DEA agents brought in from Idaho, Oregon and Montana with the additional assistance of approximately five deputies and officers from the County Sheriff and City Police Departments.
DEA officials claim to have seized marijuana plants growing in pots in her garden basement. No evidence of any other illegal activity was discovered. Granny has no criminal record.
The Department of Homeland Security may also be involved in the investigation as allegations are being made that two DHS agents entered Granny's home on a “sneak and peek” search sometime during the afternoon of May 19, 2005. Associates also report that federal agents visited their homes in the days after the raid and asked specific questions about her political beliefs and activities.
Granny contends she is a harmless medical marijuana patient with a physician’s recommendation for treatment of a chronic auto-immune disease and that she uses and grows a variety of different types of spice and medicinal herbs, flowers and food in her own home. She stated that she believes she was targeted for investigation at the public meeting because of her activism in the medical marijuana and patients rights’ movement and for her outspoken criticism of the Iraq war.
A motion for dismissal of charges on grounds that Granny’s First and Fourth Amendment rights were violated is being reviewed by her attorney, Frank Cikutovich .
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Contact: Myke Folkes, Compassionate Coalition myke113@yahoo.com