Seattle police agree to return medical pot records

The Seattle police department has agreed to return files on more than 500 medical marijuana patients to the headquarters of a patient support group, two days after seizing them during a search.

By GENE JOHNSON

AP Legal Affairs Writer

SEATTLE —

The Seattle police department has agreed to return files on more than 500 medical marijuana patients to the headquarters of a patient support group, two days after seizing them during a search.

Douglas Hiatt, an attorney representing activist Martin Martinez, who runs the Lifevine cooperative and Cascadia NORML in the University District, said he was told he could pick up the files Thursday afternoon.

The search occurred Tuesday after a nearby police bicycle officer reported the smell of marijuana. No one was arrested but officers seized about 12 ounces of marijuana in addition to the patient files and a computer.

Hiatt says that for now, police are keeping the marijuana they seized as well as two bongs. He says he plans to ask to have the marijuana returned later because Martinez was complying with the state's medical marijuana law.

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