Eastern Sierra News

Medical Marijuana Proponent Claims Harrassment

Written by Benett Kessler Monday, 08 March 2010 16:48

Meanwhile, in Inyo County, one man continues to rail against the status quo over medical marijuana cooperatives. Brett Birmingham of Big Pine tried to start one but Inyo officials said he would violate zoning code. Now, Birmingham claims law enforcement are harassing him.

Brett Birmingham

Birmingham called to say that he has been pulled over by deputies seven times and that his girl friend has too. He alleges it's harassment because of his interest in a medical marijuana dispensary.

Birmingham said, "It has never been my goal to be a drug dealer, but we do have a right in California to have access to medical marijuana except here in Inyo County." Birmingham did admit that one stop by deputies was related to his driving on a suspended license.

Sheriff's Officer Jeff Hollowell said that a patrol sergeant stopped Birmingham for driving on a suspended license but that's the only contact deputies have had with him, according to Hollowell.

Sheriff Bill Lutze added that his department has no control over medical marijuana dispensary issues. "That's a zoning matter," said Lutze.

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Comments (7)

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written by Canabinoid , March 08, 2010

Duuuude! I forgot to renew my license!!! Was I stopped one time or seven times? I can't remember. I really need to self medicate now. Bye!

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written by Concerned , March 08, 2010

Meh, I believe him. That's their modus operandi. My advice- "speak softly" and carry a digital video camera and audio recorder. Same for your loved ones. Buy them some, if need be- they're pretty cheap these days. If the cops start tailgating you, have a passenger take pictures. Keep track of dates and times. You don't want things to come down to your word vs. the cops- you will need hard evidence. Good luck!

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written by o2lvnmmth , March 08, 2010

They stopped him for having a suspended license? Isn't that something one would find out AFTER they stopped him? I'm sure Mr. Birmingham is correct. Good luck if you ever do open the shop, then the harassment would just get worse! Funny how law enforcement always says 'they just enforce the law', until there's a law they don't agree with....then it's a different story.

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written by Billy , March 08, 2010

If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck!!!!!!!!!!

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written by Wayne Deja , March 09, 2010

Got to believe Sheriff officer Hollowell with his statement on this one,saying his only contact with Mr. Birmingham was his actions of driving on a suspended license.Mr. Birmingham,if you have been "harrassed" with 7 stops by law-enforcement,wouldn't that mean 7 citations for driving on a suspended license? Or did the deputies give you a pass on the other 6? And a good bet,with your thinking it is ok to drive after your privilege to drive was taken away,probably driving with no insurance also,leaving all of us that legally drive,and carry liability insurance only,at risk if you happen to run into us.If what Sheriff Bill Lutze has stated is indeed the case,and zoning laws prohibit these"medical"dispenseries in Inyo County,about the only thing left for you to do is move.....

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written by bltnmammoth , March 09, 2010

I stopped being paranoid when I stopped smoking weed....wonder what that was all about?

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written by MR BRETT BIRMINGHAM , March 17, 2010

WELL FIRST ID LIKE TO SAY YES MY D.L. WAS SUSPENDED FOR BEING 25 DOLLARS BEHIND ON MY CHILD SUPPORT. FUNNY THING IS THAT WHEN DEPUTY BALDWIN CALLED IT INTO DISPATCH HE CLAIMED " DISORDLY CONDUCT " SECOND I WAS NEVER INFORMED WRITTEN OR OTHER WISE BY CHILD SUPPORT OR D.M.V THAT I WAS SUSPENDED A MONTH PRIOR.WHEN INET PULLS ME OVER FOR HAVING 2 YEARS TAGS ON MY PLATE. FUNNY THING IS EVERYTIME I GET PULLED OVER. THE POLICE NEVER ASKED TO SEE MY INSURANCE OR REGISTRATION. WHAT ABOUT WHEN INET SENT A MAN INTO MY STORE TO TRY AND BUY " WEED " AN THEY BLEW THAT 1 BIG TIME.. YOU REALLY LOOKED LIKE FOOLS..YES YOU INET.
IF YOUR SO CONCERNED WITH WHAT IM DOING.. HAY WHY DONT YOU JUST COME BY AN ASK ME .. EVER THAT.. NOPE.. WHAT ABOUT THE LETTER I GOT FROM THE PLANNING DEPT.. MR MIKE CONKLIN.. TOLD ME BY MAIL.. BRETT.. YOUR IN VIOLATION OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS.. WELL I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU. WITH INYO BEING THE LAST COUNTY TO MOVE FORWORD WITH THIS. THERE ARE 2 GREAT LAWYERS JUST WAITING TO POUNCE.. OF COURSE... PRO BONO FOR ME.. SO INYO WILL WASTE A LOT OF CASH.. TRYING TO STOP ME CUSS THEY DONT WANT IT.. IN THE END I WILL HAVE A DISPENSARY. I WILL SELL MEDICAL MARIJUANA.. AND I WILL DO IT LEGALLY. THANKS AND HAVE A WONDERFULL DAY HIGH SIERRA MEDICINAL

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