FERNDALE, Mich. – Police have arrested 15 people on numerous drug charges following raids at two medical marijuana facilities in Oakland County.
The raids took place Wednesday at the Clinical Relief in Ferndale and Everybody's Cafe in Waterford Township.
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The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said it confiscated more than $3 million worth of marijuana and equipment.
Barb Agro is the office manager at Clinical Relief. She said she was at the medical marijuana dispensary when her son and two others were arrested. She said police also took money, plants and records.
"They just came busting in with their guns drawn and shoved the patient back in, everybody down on the ground," she said.
The Sheriff's Office said after business hours, the cafe was being used as a "compassion club" for marijuana users.
A nearby dispensary in Waterford and 11 private residences were also raided.
"In some places, there were loose alligators running around protecting the product," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. "This is Michigan, this isn't a 'Cheech and Chong' movie.
Bouchard said the Michigan law allowing medical marijuana does not cover dispensaries.
The law allows for caregivers to supply up to five patients by growing up to 12 plants.
Bouchard said they found 200 plants at one location.
Gary Miller said he was shocked when he saw one of his friends arrested during the raid.
"This is like a witch hunt. I mean, these people are innocent. They are trying to provide for people who need it," he said.
Miller is one of the nearly 25,000 Michigan residents who have a certified medical marijuana ID card issued through the state.
Earlier in the week, Ferndale lifted its moratorium on medical marijuana-related businesses operating within city limits.
On Monday, City Council approved a set of ordinances for people who want to open a medical marijuana business in three specific areas of the city -- in order to keep the businesses away from any heavily populated or residential areas.
The open zones are mostly industrial, and on the east side of the city.
The new ordinances go into effect on Sept. 3.
New businesses must apply for a land use permit and be approved.