Lawsuit Seeks to Change Way Law Enforcement Handles Seized Pot

A lawsuit by a Windsor man against the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office could alter the way the county handles medical marijuana before it is destroyed, the Press Democrat is reporting.

In August 2008, Sheriff’s deputies seized 119 plants Joseph Reiter was growing at his home and destroyed them. But Reiter, who says he was growing the plants for himself and three friends, all of who have medical marijuana cards, said the county acted unfairly.

He also said copies of the medical cards were clearly posted near the grow.

Under current guidelines, each medical marijuana patient is allowed 30 plants, meaning that Reiter was within the legal permissible limit.

Reiter’s lawsuit does not seek monetary compensation for the lost plants, but to require a court hearing before any marijuana grown for medicinal purposes is destroyed. Reiter also wants to create a registration process so that law enforcement knows in advance which pot gardens are legal.

What do you think? Do you support Reiter's idea of requiring a court hearing before any marijuana grown for medicinal purposes is destroyed? 

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