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Anthony Brown
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The owner of a Grand Rapids medical marijuana dispensary faces three drug charges in connection to a raid early last month.
Anthony Ryan Brown, 33, was arraigned Wednesday for delivering or manufacturing marijuana, delivering or manufacturing processed marijuana and maintaining a drug house, according to court records. His preliminary examination is scheduled for April 25.
Brown intends to fight the charges, said his attorney, Frank Stanley.
Lt. Richard Nawrocki, head of the Grand Rapids Police Department's vice division, said Brown's arrest was connected to the March 6 raid by police on his dispensary, Natural Wellness Associates on Taylor Avenue NW. Brown's arrest is the third to come from the raids that day which targeted three dispensaries.
David Overholt, the owner of the Mid-Michigan Compassion Club, turned himself in to police April. He faces similar charges to Brown. A person affiliated with Purple Med, the third dispensary raided that day, was arrested April 10. That person's name has not yet been released by authorities. A warrant for another individual associated with Purple Med was issued. It is not yet know if an arrest has been made for that warrant.
Police prosecutors contend that a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling bans dispensaries under the state's medical marijuana law. Stanley said the ruling and the law are not that clear. The ruling only allows prosecutors to pursue civil, nuisance actions against dispensaries, Stanley said. He does not think prosecutors have the authority to charge his client and others criminally.
Brown is also being charged as a habitual offender. In 2011 he was charged and found guilty of delivering and manufacturing marijuana. He was sentenced to two years of probation, according to court records.
