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Medical Marijuana’s Big Business Lures Ex-Law Enforcers in Illinois

With at least 4,000 patients approved, the business of the nascent medical marijuana in Illinois has had a slow start. However, it has not kept away a group of businessmen from cannabis. These are the same ex-law enforforcers who once depended on weapons, badges, harsh drug laws and lengthy prison sentences to combat drugs.<br>Read more<br>http://www.ganjababy420.com/medical-marijuanas-big-business-lures-ex-law-enforcers-in-illinois/

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Medical Marijuana’s Big Business Lures Ex-Law Enforcers in Illinois

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  1. Medical Marijuana’s Big Business Lures Ex-Law Enforcers in Illinois With at least 4,000 patients approved, the business of the nascent medical marijuana in Illinois has had a slow start.

  2. However, it has not  kept away a group of businessmen from  cannabis. These are  the same ex-law enforforcers who once depended on weapons, badges, harsh drug laws and lengthy prison sentences to combat drugs. While neither state regulators nor industry members of the  medical marijuana industry track the number of employees that were former officers of the law, The Associated Press has identified no less than 17 in Illinois, many of which had enormous influence , some were even working previously as undercover officers. “Who better would you  like to monitor compliance with than a cop?”  said Scott Abbott, a retired colonel in the Illinois State Police paid to help a company adhere to the strict laws and state regulations in two clinics. The pull of these jobs back to police work extends far beyond Illinois, such as the state of Washington and Colorado, where marijuana is legal for anyone over 21. However, industry members in Illinois and beyond are saying that it is unusual in the degree to which the former law enforcement security are not only working but taking hands-on role with patients and leading companies.Even with the uncertain future of a pilot program which expires in four years the suppport received has been lukewarm said first-term governor Bruce Rauner. Many have had a transformation in the last stage, they come to see the drug as more socially accepted and and good business.

  3. There is likely no better example than Terrance Gainer, a former Chicago homicide detective, head of the Illinois State Police, assistant police chief in Washington, DC, US Capitol Police Chief and the US Senate sergeant at arms. After some initial reluctance, the 68-year-old said he was influenced in part by “the radical change in society and our attitudes” toward drugs and the possibility of big business. Green thumb advised Chicago-based Industries in its security needs, has worked with the owners of the marijuana-business potential in Florida and New York and testified in support of the industry in Maryland lawmakers. “Entrepreneurs involved in this are very serious about their investments,” he said. Other players in Illinois include retired Circuit County Judge Will Robert Livas, co-founder of a company licensed to open two clinics in the Chicago area, was once appointed Judge of the Year by the Crime Commission of the State of Illinois. Another is a former lawyer in the Chicago area who handled State assistant gang crimes and now is vice president of a company that owns a dispensary. There are also ArnetteHeintze, a former Secret Service senior executive who helped protect the two presidents. Terry HillardHeintze partner of Chicago consultancy that advises medical marijuana growers and retailers on security,who spent five years as police chief of Chicago.

  4. Retired US Marshals inspector Jim Smith said his private security company is “trying to corner the market” on the protection of medical marijuana and the armored transport. The bonds of the law run especially deep in Collinsville, where Abbott joins a clinic manager who also spent more than two decades with the highway patrol. Their journey is familiar – the HCI Alternatives dispensary soon-to-open is next to the state police regional headquarters. Former law enforcement proliferate in states that pioneered medical marijuana and marijuana law firms. Denver Relief Consulting, which handles everything from the development of the business plan to legislative advocacy, has a retired sergeant from Los Angeles County acting as National Security Advisor among its top executives. A medical marijuana investment firm based in Seattle attracted Pat Moen to join in 2013,he was once an official of the Drug Enforcement Administration for 10 years. “It was very rewarding,” he said, estimating that he has spoken with more than 100 current and former law enforcement about making a similar career transition. “This is a key consumer product sought by general public .”

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