75A - PH - MEDICAL MARIJUANA - PROHIBIT

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On January 7, 2004 a resident of El Cerrito was arrested for possession of marijuana for sale. The subject was found to be in possession of 133 grams {4.6 ounces) of marijuana, a small amount of cash, a "replica handgun" pellet gun. and three MN1J Dispensary cards (Oakland Cannabis Buyers Collective, Cannabis Buyers Collective of Marin and "Compassionate Caregivers" of Oakland) On February 25, 2005, the same subject mentioned above was discovered to be growing marijuana. in his house. He was found to be in possession of I S adult plants, 72 starter plants, 505 grams (1.10 lbs} of processed marijuana, 50 grams (1.75 oz) of hashish packaged for sale and two assault rifles as well as $6,000.00 in cash. The subject claimed that these plants were MMJ. An investigation was conducted with. the assistance of the West Contra Costa County Narcotic Enforcement Team and resulted in the conviction of the resident for Unauthorized Possession of Cannabis and Possession of an Assault Weapon. On July 9,2005, during a suspicious vehicle check, one of our Officers determined that a resident (Who is a member of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative) possessed. 55 immature plants with the intent of cultivating them and selling them to a MMJ Dispensary. The District Attonney has filed. a complaint containing two felony charges of possession and cultivation of Marijuana. This case is awaiting adjudication as the subject has failed to appear in court (it is believed he has fled to the state of Oregon) and a bench warrant has been issued for his an•est. On December 11, 2005, a traffic stop for speeding resulted in the arrest of the occupants for the possession on Marijuana packaged for sale and X3,365.00 in cash. On March 8, 2006 our School Resource Officer received 'information that several students were ill after eating a cookie. The investigation. revealed that a student had made cookies with a butter obtained outside (secondary sale} a MMJ Dispensary containing a highly concentrated form of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC the active ingredient i.n Marijuana). The student used the "butter" to bake and then sell these coolci.es to other students. After the student discovered that the cookies were so potent that some of his fellow students had to be treated at local. hospitals, instead of throwing them away, he gave them to other students without telling them what they were laced with. This incident resulted in at least four students requiring hospitalization and it is suspected at least two or three others were intoxicated to the point of sickness. From March of 2004 to May of 2006, this Department has conducted seven investigations at El Cerrito High School and Portola Junior High School resulting in the arrest of eight juveniles for selling or possessing with intent to sell Marijuana on or around the school campuses. Gathering the data from these incidents required hours of research and examination. Many agencies have neither the available resources nor the inclination to gather data of this kind. This makes presenting the data for consideration in this matter very difficult. 2 75A-11