Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Bouncing Bear Botanicals Raided


*Update April 14, 2010

I am ecstatic and some what relieved to see this great injustice taking steps in the right direction. Lets not forget this terrible incident and be prepared to fight any attempts to change law in favor the Inquisitions ability to incarcerate good people, steal their property, children and by many other means, destroy the lives of people who do no harm to society. Wishing Jon and his family all the best and I hope he sues the hell out of the abusive authorities that did this to him.
-E

By Janet Reid
April 10, 2010
LJWorld.com

Lawrence is a focal point for the current debate in the Kansas Legislature about banning the active ingredient in an herbal substance known as K2. Follow the debate and the progress of the Kansas bills here.

Oskaloosa — The Jefferson County Attorney’s office has dismissed all criminal charges against the owner of a botanical plant distribution warehouse that was at the center of the K2 controversy.

Lawrence resident Jonathan Sloan, owner of Bouncing Bear Botanicals in Oskaloosa, was arrested in February and charged with eight felony drug offenses, including the unlawful manufacture and distribution of controlled substances.

The arrest came after federal, state and local authorities raided Sacred Journey, 1103 Mass. in downtown Lawrence, seizing the marijuana-like substance K2.

Sloan’s warehouse, which supplied Sacred Journey with K2 and a number of other herbal products, was also raided.

Investigators seized more than $700,000 in cash from the business and bank accounts and took several items from the warehouse, including thousands of cactus plants and 20 toads.

Sloan was scheduled to appear in Jefferson County court for a preliminary hearing in the case on Tuesday. Sloan did not return calls seeking comment.

Jefferson County Attorney Caleb Stegall said while the charges are dismissed, the investigation is on-going.

“My office expects to refile charges if they are warranted once the investigation is complete,” Stegall said.

Bouncing Bear Botanicals is back in operation, according to the business’s Web site. The warehouse, located on Hwy. 59 north of Lawrence, is one of the largest suppliers of ethnobotanicals in the country.

Original Post
By: EROCx1
Date: Feb 6, 2010

Jonathan Sloan

I am sorry to report that the Inquisition has decided to persecute the Internets biggest Ethnobotanical vendor and a retail herb store they supplied. On Feb 4th the FDA and local police raided Bouncing Bears Botanicals and arrested its owner Jonathan Sloan. Their main reason appears to be a smoking blend named K2 that is NOT even illegal yet, although the state of Kansas had a law in the works. This product presumably contains a LEGAL synthetic chemical substance that acts as a cannabinoid agonist like the more commonly known Spice which was proven to contain JWH-018 which is also NOT illegal. My assumption is that law enforcement agencies wanted to seize a bulk of the supply prior to the law passing so it did not find its way in to the black market. These tactics also are used to make an example out of the victims they bust in an attempt to scare of others involved.

The other charges are equally unjust. The Cacti and seeds in question have the same alkaloids as those commonly found at every Nursery including those at Home Depot & Walmart. Every Human and many other forms of life all contain DMT as did the Toads and plant material seized in this raid. Could his being targeted be due to the manner in which he offered these plants, his customer base being mainly the psychedelic community, his providing information and documentaries on how these plants are illegally used? Or was it simply because he was the biggest or his local authorities are most oppressive in the United States? It is believed that the retail store was targeted for organizing opposition against the bill to ban the ingredients in K2. If this is true, it is terrorism against civil rights.

The media is reporting that Bond was set at $150,000. However Jon's father claims it is set at one million dollars.

The current charges against Jon are:

• Unlawful manufacturing of controlled substances: Dimethlyltryptamine (DMT)

• Unlawful manufacturing of controlled substances: Mescaline

• Unlawful manufacturing of controlled substances: Lysergic Acid Amide

• Unlawful cultivation or distribution of controlled substances: Mescaline

• Unlawful cultivation or distribution of controlled substances: Dimethlyltryptamine; Chacruna; Illinois Bundleflower; Epena; Cebil Seeds.

• Unlawful cultivation or distribution of controlled substances: Bufotenine, Epena, Chaliponga, Cebil Seeds, Colorado River Toads.

• Unlawful cultivation or distribution of controlled substances: Lysergic Acid Amide, Morning Glory Seeds, Rivea Corymbosa.

• Unlawful possession of certain drug precursors and drug paraphernalia: Plastic jugs and filters used or intended for unlawful use to manufacture, cultivate, plant propagate, harvest, test, analyze or distribute a controlled substance.

Authorities may be possibly adding additional charges including drug smuggling. They seized more than $300,000 worth of product and more than $700,000 in cash from both Jon's business and personal bank accounts leaving him NEGATIVE $55,000 in the bank so that he can not hire a lawyer or post bond.

Please share this information with the entheogen / ethnobotanical community and any news as it becomes available. If you reside in Kansas protest and letter writing is defiantly in order. This truly is an injustice and I pray that this turns out as best as it possibly can.

Links:
County Attorney's Office - Press Release 

Local TV News Story
Lawrence Journal-World
Photos of the aftermath


*Update Feb 7, 2009 a message from Jon
Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note letting everyone know I am out and thanking everyone for the support they've been sending my way. I really appreciate it. I can't talk much about anything. I imagine everyone knows what my view of these ridiculous charges is already, though.

I am not allowed back in the building yet as part of my release agreement. I just now saw those pictures of my office and the warehose for the first time. And... I'd just like to say to all the people who have asked many times "Could your office be any messier?" now you know. Yes, it could.

For the people asking about donations, we have a defense fund set up already that my family has contributed to. I'm not exactly sure how it works and don't really feel right asking for donations. I've always prided myself on my independence, so it's a bit weird suddenly needing help and not being in control of my own life. I, at the very least, want to make sure if all the money isn't needed or we are able to get damages from the government, that contributors would be refunded.

My main concern is for my family. It's pretty F'd up when the government can seize the money from my 6-year-old-son's savings account to pay a drug tax for something his father hasn't even been convicted of yet (and isn't even illegal). Innocent until proven guilty? Land of the Free? Man.... This is all so insane..... I just don't want anything else to happen to them... Stopping the rant now. Probably already talked too much. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone.

Oh. All the products that weren't seized in the raid will still be shipping as normal and all orders should be caught up on Monday.

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh NO! This is a travesty!

Carlos Campos said...

thats really bad and agains the human rights someone is not guilty unless is 100% proved it is by the law they cant make a more or less law today and ounish tomorrow what fucking happend with US laws

muzuzuzus said...

The people that have done this to him are gangsters. It is as simple as that!

Anonymous said...

This is sickening. My thoughts and sympathies are with Mr. Sloan and his terrific company. How dare ANYONE declare such invaluable PLANTS illegal! Everyone should feel contempt for our justice system.

Anonymous said...

OMG, we have wars going on, people die from tobacco and alcohol, there are not enough jobs, frauds are not punished, gangs are killing people - yet the cops focus on plant sellers?
Can you say police state?

Anonymous said...

The darkness is rapidly spreading. What is happening to this country? I sincerely hope that Jon makes it through this alright

Anonymous said...

I am speechless. this country just keeps getting scarier.

Anonymous said...

So much for the good vibes we had going from the California pot legalization bill and voter initiative....

Anonymous said...

Amazing. The potholes in front of my house have wrecked more havoc in people's lives than anything Mr Sloan's done. Up to now, we could always "blame Bush" for this nonsense. No longer. Sorry, but "Yes we can" is rapidly turning into another meatball government slogan.

Henry said...

I'd like to point out that even though our drug laws are indeed absurd, still, considering current mainstream opinions, we just have to accept that companies like this are doing something that parts of the mainstream culture are really afraid of. Even if we'd like to hide behind legal loopholes, I think their reaction is quite understandable.

Instead of "demonizing the enemy", I really feel that we need to initiate and keep up respectful dialogue - even if "they" do not.

Jonathan, you have my compassion.

Anonymous said...

sweetheart,i know its just down right awful.YOU WILL gethrough this snafu.REMEMBER god loves you do not despair;] love,laura.

Anonymous said...

Jonathan, this is so unfair and do know that most in the entheo community stand behind you in solidarity.. Please, if you can, would you clarify whether or not those first three charges result from extraction products you possesed; or, is this all just a kafkaesque witchhunt of completely legal and unextracted items.. Sorry to be so blunt but, ahem

Anonymous said...

My prayers are with Jon and his family. I live in Canada, where we do not live in such ambiguity from the law, but this will set precedent which will have repercussions across the entire world, which has been subjected to US dominance. Erocx1, I thank you for your concern for your family and friends and can only hope alongside you that the nature which we both cherish isn't deemed illegal. Namaste.

LS said...

this is ridiculous...my thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family, and staff :(

Ed said...

What's next, the government creates garden police to make sure we are not growing morning glories? Wow... I feel for you man, that's not right.

Anonymous said...

this is horrible it makes me sick to my stomach i love bouncing bear...i am one of the people who just order the plants and seeds and grow them not to get high i think these sacred plants (and toads)need to be understood better they are safe and legal

Anonymous said...

This case needs to be handled well because it may set a precedent for entheogen sales.

Are there any pro bono lawyers that would help??? ACLU??? NORML??? MAPS??? If anyone has any legal advice, please get in contact with Sloan!

Anonymous said...

It's been over a month since the raid. I know these things take time but Eroc, or anyone, have their been any updates as to what's happening with Jon?

EROCx1 said...

So relieved to see this move a step in the right direction.

By Janet Reid
April 12, 2010
LJWorld.com

Lawrence is a focal point for the current debate in the Kansas Legislature about banning the active ingredient in an herbal substance known as K2. Follow the debate and the progress of the Kansas bills here.

Oskaloosa — The Jefferson County Attorney’s office has dismissed all criminal charges against the owner of a botanical plant distribution warehouse that was at the center of the K2 controversy.

Lawrence resident Jonathan Sloan, owner of Bouncing Bear Botanicals in Oskaloosa, was arrested in February and charged with eight felony drug offenses, including the unlawful manufacture and distribution of controlled substances.

The arrest came after federal, state and local authorities raided Sacred Journey, 1103 Mass. in downtown Lawrence, seizing the marijuana-like substance K2.

Sloan’s warehouse, which supplied Sacred Journey with K2 and a number of other herbal products, was also raided.

Investigators seized more than $700,000 in cash from the business and bank accounts and took several items from the warehouse, including thousands of cactus plants and 20 toads.

Sloan was scheduled to appear in Jefferson County court for a preliminary hearing in the case on Tuesday. Sloan did not return calls seeking comment.

Jefferson County Attorney Caleb Stegall said while the charges are dismissed, the investigation is on-going.

“My office expects to refile charges if they are warranted once the investigation is complete,” Stegall said.

Bouncing Bear Botanicals is back in operation, according to the business’s Web site. The warehouse, located on Hwy. 59 north of Lawrence, is one of the largest suppliers of ethnobotanicals in the country.

Peter said...

To anonymous,

Sounds like you killed your own mind, or are completely schizophrenic. This community is about respect and responsibility. And FREEDOM. You just spit in the face of people who stand up for freedom. And yes, I think I will have sex with many girls, thank you very much. Maybe you should try that. There's something pathological about your comments. I think you need serious help. Maybe there's an herb for that?

k2 incense said...

This whole controversy is insane. Im glad you got the charges dropped against you. Fight on brotha!

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my pleasure =0)

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Anonymous said...

IN EVERY HUMAN BRAIN IS A PINEAL GLAND. IT PRODUCES DMT. THIS IS WHAT CREATES DREAMS.
HANDS UP! YOUR ALL UNDER ARREST, INCLUDING US & THEM, & MAYBE EVERYONE ON THE PLANET.
THANK YOU, IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

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