Leading Medical Cannabis Researcher Arrested

    The mission of the Medical Marijuana Coalition of Washington State is to promote a medical cannabis system based in compassion and science. The word compassion has many different meanings, but is generally known to mean showing kindness, or helping. The original medical cannabis law in California was named the Compassionate Care Act. So, it is natural we would promote compassion in a medical cannabis system. Cannabis being the most chemically complex plant on earth it was natural we included “Science’ in our mission, as well. But, we added “Science” to our mission largely due to the innovative research of Dr. Jeff Raber of The Werkshop, which was located in Pasadena, CA. “Was”, because The Werkshop was raided early in the month of April.

     According to reports a “tip” about people smoking cannabis outside and a strong smell of cannabis in an industrial area of Pasadena led authorities to the unsuspecting lab. When police arrived they found elegidly 500 pounds of cannabis and 200 pint jars of cannabis oil on site. Well you know, if you have that much weed around, you must be a criminal. So, Dr. Raber was arrested, along with a business partner. Later 26 employees were taken into custody, then later released. Dr. Raber later posted a 75,000 dollar bond and left the jail, waiting a June hearing.

     To someone who doesn’t know about his work 500 pounds and 200 jars of cannabis oil seems like a lot. However, his work centered around bringing more diversity back to the Terpene profile of the cannabis plant. The report didn’t say if the 500 pounds was processed, or were there plants. Knowing what he was doing, 500 pounds doesn’t seem like to much to accomplish his research goal. He also was researching the different therapeutic properties of various Terpenes, which occur in heavy concentrations in cannabis. You can imagine each one of those 200 jars with a label on it listing out the Terpene profiles. He was doing research. It takes large amounts of whatever you are researching to get good results.

     It is ashamed police didn’t take the time to investigate what he was doing, before they took all his work. Even if he is found innocent, years of work and innovation have been lost. Hopefully, after the trial Dr. Raber can resume this very important research to shed more light on the therapeutic effects of the Terpenes in cannabis.