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| Cannabis Club Burns and Other Businesses Damaged |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 27, 2002 at 13:29:53 PT By Mark Hedges, The Daily Journal Source: Ukiah Daily News 
An arson fire burned the Ukiah Cannabis Club Saturday morning, causing extensive damage and blackening neighboring structures as well. A man who told The Daily Journal he was upset with the Ukiah Cannabis Club, claiming club members owed him money for the crop of marijuana he grew for them, was arrested at the scene. The flames spread into the attic of the Forest Club, and the China Chef and North State Cafe also sustained smoke damage. It was around 9 a.m. when Ukiah Police officers responded to a silent burglary alarm at the pharmacy of Millie Lehrman at 247 N. State St. While it maintained a very low profile, the pharmacy is generally known as the contact site for the Ukiah Cannabis Club. The first officer on the scene saw the front door had been forced open, but was barricaded shut again with a TV set, and there was smoke coming from the interior. The officer called for the Ukiah Fire Department to respond. The officer and store manager entered the business and began extinguishing a small fire, when they heard a male voice in the back of the store. They called for the individual to come out from the back, but he refused, so the officer and manager waited at the door for additional officers and firefighters to arrive. The man in the back of the store, later identified as William Howard Ryan, 51, of Willits, telephoned UPD dispatch, saying he was armed and that he would shoot anyone coming to get him. Officers and firefighters heard muffled shots from the interior of the store. The building was surrounded by Ukiah Police officers, Mendocino County sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol officers. Ryan ultimately attempted to flee out the rear of the store, where he was taken into custody. Firefighters from the Ukiah Fire Department, Ukiah Valley Fire District, and California Department of Forestry then extinguished the flames inside the building and prevented the destruction of surrounding buildings. Ukiah Police detectives and Ukiah Fire Department personnel investigated the area, which had extensive fire damage. Additional assistance was provided by CHP aviators, CDF law enforcement, and California Department of Fish & Game officers. Two off-duty UPD officers also responded to handle incoming calls for service while the on-duty officers were working this crime scene. A spokesman for the fire units that battled the blaze said the Cannabis Club was "wiped out." Ryan was arrested on charges of arson, burglary and possession of hashish. He was interviewed by The Daily Journal just days ago when he claimed he was going to sue the Ukiah Cannabis Club for the money he says he is owed. Some witnesses said they saw Ryan enter the building with what looked like grenades strapped to his body. There were also reports the suspect carried a weapon, though that was not corroborated by police. A spokesperson for the Forest Club said the bar would be closed for a short time only. Complete Title: Cannabis Club Burns; Other North State Businesses Damaged Source: Ukiah Daily Journal (CA) Related Articles & Web Site: Medicinal Cannabis Research Links Sheriff Protects Medical Pot Users Ukiah Couple's Marijuana Club Survives Four Years Extollers of Hemp in Second Month on Ukiah Corner Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #7 posted by sin264 on May 28, 2002 at 19:47:40 PT:
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| Dear Dr..(?)
Excuse me "Dr. Ganj" but I must respond. Don't you think you should know exactly what your talking about before you write postings on a subject you know absolutely nothing about? It seems to me there are always two sides to every situation. Have you inquired with anyone to find out the whole story? I will bet you have not.. "Dr.". I am one of the many unfortunet people to be heavily effected by this tragedy, I know the true story and trust me when I say all of our obligations are and always have been well taken care of, at ALL times. Lets not jump to obveous conclusions just because we can, Isn't that the kind of attitude what keeps us in the dark ages after all???
Peace to All, Lorie [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #6 posted by kaptinemo on May 28, 2002 at 11:21:50 PT:
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| Not having any experience with the clubs either, SpaceCat's observation also causes me to wonder. Why maintain weed at so high a price if there are grow operations in-house? Are the prices of weed dependent upon the actual operating costs of maintaining the facilities? Or is this as some have accused: a rip-off? I don't know, and would appreciate some information, as it raises unsettling questions... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by SpaceCat on May 28, 2002 at 11:13:59 PT |
| I don't have any facts so can't comment on this specific case, but something that has bothered me for sometime (and is illustrated by Dr. Ganj's comment) is the price charged for pot at these clubs. It is way out of line with production costs, and since the risk premium is theoretically eliminated under prop 215 It seems that some growers are exploiting the medical community. If true, this is playing right into the hands of the anti's who accuse us of subterfuge anyway, but beyond that it is morally reprehensible. Medical Marijuana should be delivered at cost or less if possible (consider your production costs a donation the cause) or if that would create financial hardship, a reasonable markup (say 30%). I don't know how much this guy got for his $150, but even an ounce at that price is about 4 times the production cost per ounce of a small-scale hydroponic operation, the most expensive way that pot can be produced. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by Dr Ganj on May 28, 2002 at 08:29:20 PT |
| This is what happens when a cannabis club doesn't pay its growers. The clubs make plenty of money, and should do everything it takes to keep the suppliers happy.
Since he threatened to sue them, the club knew there was a problem. They should have listened to the warning signs.
This will teach others to pay their bills on time.
Hey, I'm not saying what he did was right, of course it was wrong. However, I'll wager if they paid him his money, this would not have happened. Now everyone loses.
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Comment #3 posted by sin264 on May 27, 2002 at 19:31:18 PT:
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| Dear fellow activist, my name is lorie and I am trying to reach roger christie concerning the burning of the club and "Buster". (If you read this posting Roger, please e-mail me A.S.A.P) There's a lot more to the story then the Ukiah Daily Journal has yet to find out. I assure everyone reading this posting that no wrong doing was done to "Buster". More on this at a later date, due to illegallity issues I am not permitted to discuss it at any length. Please, keep an open mind. One day we will be able to reveal the truth behind the burning of our sacred cannabis club. peace to all...Lorie [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 27, 2002 at 18:29:47 PT |
| I know the Ukiah Daily Journal is a reputable newspaper and I found this very strange too but don't know anyone in the article. Maybe more will surface and I'll check the paper everyday for a few days to see if there is a follow article. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by Roger Christie on May 27, 2002 at 18:16:38 PT:
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Dear People, Aloha from a rainforest on this big,smoking volcano. What a fullmoon... Now this... I know Buster Ryan from two or three phone calls and the occassional letter per year going back to about 1992. We've not personally met, however I feel Buster is one of the nicest and most sincere people out there. He's a true good 'ol boy who has been using cannabis for religious and medical purposes. About two weeks ago I heard from Buster that he was in the Santa Cruz jail on a cannabis charge. It all sounded unusual to me. We spoke a couple of times while he was 'in'. I left messages with the Chaplain at the Santa Cruz county jail and things seemed to be going well, under the circumstances. Last week sometime Buster appaerntly got out of jail and made his way back to Ukiah. He called me twice on Friday afternoon Hawai'i time, about 6:22 p.m. Ukiah time. I have one of the calls taped and recorded where he is totally upbeat and in the best of spirits! He said, "they OR'ed me". He even sang part of a song to me on the tape voicemail... "I looked at the River Jordan and what did I see? A band of angels comin' after me, comin' for to carry me home. ... swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home." He said, "everything's cool. I appreciate it. I've got to find my stuff and move out, but there's a lot more hope out here than in there. I'll get with ya. Phew! Aloha!" About an hour later he called again and we spoke for a good 5 minutes. His story still seemed very unusual to me for an arrest and release case. I thought Santa Cruz was the coolest for herb and I still don't get what he meant by saying the judge gave him a nice chunk of cash upon his release? But, hey! he was free and feeling super! He left me a contact number, saying we would be in touch, that he needed more business cards of mine and his for the THC Ministry, and that he was going to reimburse me for the costs. He had a celebration dinner upon his release from jail and spent about $100. on it. He was elated! Life was great and getting greater. Now this...just hours later. What's up? I find this news story hard to believe. Do you know of anything else to report on here? This doesn't fit... I just tried to call the Ukiah jail and got no answer after about 13 rings. 1 (707) 463-4530 Anyone in the Ukiah area that wants to assist in communication with Buster? Let me know, OK? My spiritual practice is the say, "God, that's great." Show me the blessing in this situation that looks so strange. And hurry! love, Roger THC The Hawai'i Cannabis Ministry "We use cannabis religiously and you can, too." www.thc-ministry.org (808) 961-0488
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