Marijuana funneling from Michigan to states where it’s illegal

“All over rural Michigan we are starting to see it,” Warren said.

Deputies saw an example of the issue on April 21, when two Beach Grove, Indiana men were cited with several infractions including having more than 200 marijuana plants. They are suspected of preparing to return them to Indiana. Both remain lodged in the Midland County Jail.

Paul Grimes, 37, is charged with four counts of felony firearm; discharging a firearm at a vehicle; delivering or manufacturing 45 kilograms or more than 200 marijuana plants; controlled substance delivery or manufacturing a non-narcotic; and fleeing a police officer third-degree. He is jailed on a $400,000 cash/surety bond.

Andrew Baker, 20, is charged with three counts of felony firearm; discharging a firearm at a vehicle; delivering or manufacturing 45 kilograms or more than 200 marijuana plants; and controlled substance delivery or manufacturing a non-narcotic. He is jailed on a $300,000 cash/surety bond.

The desire for Michigan marijuana even affects people like Adam Chambers. When Chambers, of Midland, returns to his native Indianapolis, even in a major city, he gets asked by random people if he has pot.

“I think once they see I have a Michigan license plate, people automatically think I might have some,” Chambers said. “I don’t use it, but if I did have some and sold it, I could make a fortune. People there are crazy about pot.”

Amanda Jones of Cleveland, Ohio, who grew up in Midland said whenever she crosses back into Ohio, there is always a Michigan State Trooper there at the border. She double-checks herself when leaving Michigan. She said she doesn’t smoke marijuana in her car and makes sure she has nothing on her that is legal in Michigan, but heavily penalized in Ohio.

Jones said she remembers standing in line with 100 people for two jobs opening at a Midland box store years ago. She said since the introduction of marijuana, that isn’t the case anymore, citing that the area economy has produced many jobs.

“Weed has been very good for Michigan,” Jones said.

Warren said such grow operations are also fueling high-dollar retail theft. He said the box stores are being hit for grow operation materials, such as lighting, surveillance cameras and other items needed for a successful operation. Since July Midland Police have tracked $8,000 in thefts for suspected grow operations.

“It’s a trickle-down effect when it comes to crime,” Warren said. “Our undercover units are very in-tune with what’s going on. They work diligently across our area.”

For the grow operations, Greene said part of the issue is knowing what is legal what what is illegal. He said those with medical marijuana licenses can have 12 plants for themselves and up to 12 each for another five people. Meaning they can have a large operation, but authorities can’t distinguish legal from illegal until they begin investigating.

“In general, that is how a lot of people get around it,” Greene said. “They do it under the pretense of it being legal and it could be legal.”

Yet, he cites it could also not be. Greene said they don’t know until they have reason to investigate, and it often needs to be more than someone complaining of the odor.

Warren said such grows can often go undetected because people buy property in a rural area, build a pole barn and “no one is going to bat an eye.”

The more the market floods with marijuana, it will drive the price down, making such operations less profitable, Greene said.