Crime & Courts

Homer cannabis club burglarized

Homer Police early this month arrested a Homer man alleged to have broken into a local cannabis club and stolen pot and other property. Gregory S. Kalmakoff, 29, faces charges of second-degree burglary, second-degree theft, both felonies, and fifth-degree criminal mischief.

According to a criminal complaint by Sgt. Ryan Browning, a security camera at the Kachemak Cannabis Club on Pioneer Avenue caught Kalmakoff breaking into the building. Kalmakoff stole about $3,000 in property. Lindianne Sarno, a member of the club, said the property stolen was personal-use cannabis, pipes and other items.

The Kachemak Cannabis Club is part of the Kachemak Cannabis Coalition, a nonprofit, educational organization, Sarno said in a phone message. Sarno allows the club to use her Homer Vocation Library, space she rents in a building next to the Hillas Building.

According to Browning's complaint, members of the cannabis club recognized Kalmakoff from previous contacts and confronted him at his Grubstake Avenue home. Kalmakoff returned some of the stolen items, Browning wrote. Browning interviewed Kalmakoff at his home and said he claimed to have blacked out from alcohol consumption and didn't remember anything.

Homer Police Chief Mark Robl said the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Board allows cannabis clubs.

"That's the board's position. Right now they've reached an impasse where these clubs are not expressly permitted or prohibited," Robl said. "They're allowing them to operate provided there's no proof of other violations of law."

Robl said it's legal for a friend to deliver cannabis to another friend as long as there is no remuneration. He said the Kachemak Cannabis Club gives cannabis to people with medical needs who can't grow it themselves.

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This report was first published by Homer News and is republished here with permission. Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.

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