The cannabis gifting company West Winds Wellness was busted by the Gloucester City Police Department in Camden County on Wednesday, May 26th.
The GCPD sent out a press release that said their Detective Bureau investigated West Winds Wellness, whose address they knew found was 340 South Broadway. A search warrant was obtained for the premises after probable cause was established, showing that the occupants were distributing cannabis.
“Unfortunately, Gloucester City didn’t like it as much as the residents did,” West Winds Wellness investment partner Michael Mahoney said.
West Winds Wellness is going forward undaunted by the discrepancy in the laws, where it seems gifting may or may not be legal if cannabis is decriminalized.
West Winds Wellness Undaunted
“We’re going to move and we’re going to go to another area, and we’re going to open again,” Mahoney said.
“The New Jersey Weedman fought two trials here,” Mahoney added.
He noted a unanimous jury did not convict cannabis advocate and businessman Ed “NJWeedman” Forchion of 12 and thus won both trials.
Mahoney noted some of the larger cities in New Jersey seem committed to not persecuting cannabis entrepreneurs.
Mahoney said he wants a license. He described himself as a single dad with three kids and two construction companies, four recovery house businesses, and five recovery centers uninterested in going to jail. While a gifting business, West Winds Wellness operates as if it were a regulated dispensary with armed guards, metal detectors, and paperwork for the legitimate business he has selling stickers.
We have political people who are willing to support us getting a legitimate license,” he said.
Legacy Operator Struggles
He is pessimistic about the nature of the cannabis industry.
It’s designed for corporate companies that have sick money to get involved in,” he said regarding the adult-use cannabis market elsewhere.
That was why he was interested in trying a cannabis gifting company.
Mahoney noted a company needs a lawyer, a lobbyist, and a security team to obtain a license from the State in a very uncertain process. He lamented a well-connected lobbyist who costs about $200,000 would get a company from out state a license easily. But local entrepreneurs struggle.
The GCPD Detective Bureau, GCPD Patrol Division, and the Camden County Sheriff’s Department S.E.R.T. executed the search warrant at the cannabis gifting company West Winds Wellness’s store. As a result, over twenty-five pounds of marijuana and edibles, as well as over $11,000.00 in cash, were seized.
When the police arrived, he said they were indifferent about cannabis but under orders of the Chief. Mahoney noted Gloucester City has many heroin-related crimes they are unable to cope with.
Criminal Charges
The following individuals were charged:
Shante Santos (32) of Trenton, NJ, was charged with distributing over twenty-five pounds of marijuana. Possession of over six ounces of marijuana and distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park. He was remanded to the Camden County Jail.
Rafael Feliciano (41) of Trenton was charged with distributing over twenty-five pounds of marijuana. Possession of over six ounces of marijuana and distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park. He was remanded to the Camden County Jail.
Marlin Ramirez (22) of Trenton was charged with distributing over twenty-five pounds of marijuana. Possession of over six ounces of marijuana and distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park. He was further charged with an additional count of distribution of marijuana. He was remanded to the Camden County Jail.
Deevonte Ellis (21) of Trenton was charged with conspiracy to commit the distribution of over twenty-five pounds of marijuana. Possession of over six ounces of marijuana and distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park. He was remanded to the Camden County Jail.
Conspiracy Charges
Danny Caquias (42) of Trenton was charged with conspiracy to commit distribution of over twenty-five pounds of marijuana. Possession of over six ounces of marijuana and distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park. He was also charged with an additional count of distribution of marijuana. He was released following bail reform.
James Davenport (31) of Camden was charged with possession of a handgun. Possession of a firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substance offense. Conspiracy to commit distribution of over twenty-five pounds of marijuana, possession of over six ounces of marijuana, and distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park. He was remanded to the Camden County Jail.
Eric Mack (49) of Camden was charged with conspiracy to commit distribution of over twenty-five pounds of marijuana. Possession of over six ounces of marijuana and distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park. He was released following bail reform.
Detective Keith O’Donnell (Case Agent), Detective Sergeant Carl Depoder, Detective Joe Hopkins, Investigator John Bryszewski, Ofc. Greg Coxe, Ofc. George Spingler, Ofc. Sean Gartland, and Ofc. William Defoney was involved in the investigation.
Cannabis Gifting Company Issues
West Winds Wellness has been very prominent about trying to exist in a gray area. But the police only see a dark area. They’re going to need a good lawyer with all the captured cannabis weight. They had a Facebook account as well as a website, and a physical storefront.
Cannabis gifting companies have proliferated since January 1st, when the cannabis legalization referendum passed by 67 percent said it would go into effect. Many want a license. While some underground entrepreneurs have tried to exploit the legal discrepancy, others are trying to get into CBD and hemp, which are far less dangerous. But since they don’t produce the high that cannabis does, there’s less of a demand for it. CBD and hemp products vary widely in quality.
Not one legalized state said major trafficking was OK after legalization. In fact, the established market in California is finding it hard to compete against the underground market in part due to burdensome regulations.
