Many Counties Miss Grants For Medical Marijuana Enforcement

By ED WHITE/Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) - Only 18 of Michigan's 83 counties applied for money to enforce the medical marijuana law and educate the public about how it works.

Lawmakers set aside $3 million this year for county sheriffs. But a report from the state says only $823,000 was spent by 17 counties.

Sgt. James Every says the Ingham County sheriff's office "had no clue about it." In Kent County, Undersheriff Michelle Young says her department was also unaware.

Michigan's largest counties, Oakland and Wayne, together spent $558,000, much of it on training and investigation overtime. Oakland bought a van, a pickup truck and a trailer to haul plants from illegal growing operations. Sheriff Mike Bouchard says the money helps.

Counties also spent state grants on vests, guns, Tasers and high-tech binoculars.

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