Improved Clinch

Need Hydroponic Growing Equipment? - Pay Cash or Get Busted

A story that has been ongoing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the story of a Grand Rapids Press reporter, David Mayo, who was busted for growing marijuana. How was he busted, you ask, let me enlighten you.

Mayo ordered some hydroponic growing equipment, from a company, not the company linked to my knowledge, which advertises in High Times magazine. This of course leads to the question, how did the Michigan police know that Mayo ordered hydroponic growing equipment? Because an invoice was issued for the equipment to Mayo.

“Operation Green Thumb has access to shipping invoices from suppliers who advertise their indoor marijuana-growing equipment in magazines such as ‘High Times.’

This of course begs the question, how did the police get access to the invoices from the firm which shipped the hydroponic growing equipment to Mayo? Is there some kind of blanket warrant which compels firms which sell hydroponic growing equipment to give invoice data to police departments, or other federal agencies around the country? I cannot imagine that firms which sell hydroponic gear voluntarily supply this information to authorities.

Mayo’s attorney, Bruce Block, is gamely battling for Mayo, and states the following.

“A man’s home is his castle,” Block said. “You should have a very good reason to go in there. I’m just appalled. I am just appalled. ... It’s almost like search warrants are getting out of control. I guess I don’t know how else to say it.”

He said the tactic was “chilling” and should concern everyone. No one disputes the fact police found marijuana—plants at various stages of growth, and packed in mason jars—but Block said police had no right to go into Mayo’s home in the first place.

I heartily agree with Block. If you order grow lights, or some such hydroponic growing equipment, it appears that you are automatically a suspect individual, kind of like what is going on in Missouri if you have a Ron Paul bumper sticker on your car.

The State is getting too big for its britches.

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

Block quote taken from article titled Press columnist David Mayo’s lawyer says he is ‘appalled’ that police targeted Mayo for grow lights.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 03/19 at 02:28 PM