More weed, less greed

In March I was arrested for growing three marijuana plants in my home. It was 2 a.m. and I was sitting on my couch eating potato chips. Flash forward 30 minutes: I am being led to the back of a line of seven police cars (including forensics and dogs). I was not charged with harming anyone, or intent to distribute. The police said they knew I was not trying to sell; they understood that I was growing marijuana in my home to avoid dark dealings with drug dealers.

Even though that was understood, I was charged with three felonies and forced to plead guilty to “maintaining a dwelling for drugs” to avoid a prison term.

So, [having] three marijuana plants for personal use [qualifies as] maintaining a dwelling for drugs? I will be thankful in advance to the landlord who does not assume I am a meth-cooking drug dealer. Who will rent a home to someone who maintains a dwelling for drugs?

I realize that marijuana is illegal, but I also realize that it is only by breaking the law and speaking up that things can be changed. You have a duty to disobey laws that are morally corrupt.

The N.C. House Bill 1380 [Medical Marijuana Act] sits dormant in the capitol, waiting on intelligent progressive citizens to stand up and say, “Yes, there is a place for medical marijuana.” The U.S. government is on the wrong side of history on marijuana, and we in Asheville — a city known nationwide for high-quality marijuana, a city with at least two indoor grow shops and a half-dozen smoke shops — need to send a message to Raleigh: More weed, less greed.

Call the General Assembly in Raleigh, and tell them it's time for a little common sense in our Democracy.

— Michael Ivanov
Asheville

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10 thoughts on “More weed, less greed

  1. Bob Dobbs

    how did you get caught? i wouldn’t think that Asheville police would have the resources to put that much effort into busting someone growing a few plants for personal use.

  2. Michael

    it was never disclosed to me how i was caught. i believe i was the victim of a ‘narc.’ Sadly, they absolutely do have those resources.

  3. Bob Dobbs

    Is the reasoning behind the “maintaining a dwelling” b.s. charge so that they can try to take the home via forfeiture laws?

  4. normanplombe

    mike:
    a) you need to chose your friends more wisely…obviously somebody tattled on you.

    b) nobody has to plead guilty to anything…if your story is accurate, i can’t imagine a jury that wouldn’t nullify.

    c. it’s obvious that every rape, murder, and child molestation case in the city/county/state has been solved…therefore our cops have the time and resources to devote to your HUGE criminal enterprise! if i had a badge, i’d use it as a license to go confront people who actually HURT other people….but that’s just me…best of luck, bro.

  5. BigAl

    “mike:
    a) you need to chose your friends more wisely…”

    You really expect a pot-head to have such reliable, loyal friends?

    “therefore our cops have the time and resources to devote to your HUGE criminal enterprise!”

    I doubt it took very much work to take down this criminal mastermind (snicker).

  6. bill smith

    “nobody has to plead guilty to anything…if your story is accurate, i can’t imagine a jury that wouldn’t nullify.”

    LOL. I would not recommend taking the legal advice of normanplombe.

  7. Michael ivanov

    The idea of a jury nullification did cross my mind, but the odds are about 5%. i’m not going to gamble 3 years in prison on a 5% chance that a jury nullifies.

  8. Aaron Brown

    I use to live in Asheville buy now,i am in the BayArea,it’s not the best but you can grown and have less than a once they need to reduce the laws against hemp,harm reduction,P.T.S.D and it is needed the reason why i left Asheville was stress of from the Diversity of Racism to the fact that i would like to start and end my day with a Good Joint.Again it is not the best here ,but you can grow( 7 Plants),and you could get a ticket for Smoking,you need a Club Card but if you look at the overall you don’t have to trip about a 2:am raid for Hemp.
    SmokefortheSeason, and Stay-Warm.

  9. jack

    Mike…..what do you mean it was never disclosed to you?? The police must declare in discovery what info was used to obtain a warrant

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