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Arrests made in pot shop extortion

By COLBY FRAZIER — April 29, 2009

Santa Barbara Police arrested one of the owners of the Sacred Mountain medical marijuana dispensary on Monday for allegedly taking his business partner captive, threatening him with bodily harm and forcing him to sign over his half of the business.

Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte, a Police Department spokesman, said the incident began to unravel when 45-year-old Tharon Weighill accused his 34-year-old partner of stealing $400,000 from the business.

Weighill then allegedly arranged for two individuals to hold the victim in a back room at knifepoint to get him to sign over his share of the business, Duarte said.

“The victim signed a make-shift release for his part of the business, was stripped of his keys, cell phone and $800,” Duarte said, adding that the keys were used by the suspects to gain access to the victim’s vehicle where an unknown amount of marijuana was taken. “The victim escaped out of the business when he had the opportunity to do so.”

After contacting the 34-year-old victim at 11:50 a.m. in the 100 block of W. Haley St., officers responded to the dispensary, located at 27 Parker Way, where they contacted several individuals and arrested Weighill, his cousin and Sacred Mountain security guard Scott Weighill, 43, and another man who was on probation and had a warrant issued for his arrest.

Officials said Scott Weighill held the door closed and kept watch while the victim was being threatened, while Tharon Weighill orchestrated the event.

Police believe other suspects participated and remain at large.

Tharon Weighill, who in past Daily Sound stories has represented himself as a doctor and said his establishment rarely carries no more than a pound of medical marijuana at any time and is lucky to see daily sales reach $100, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy, extortion, false imprisonment and robbery. Scott Weighill faces the same string of charges.

Duarte said the investigation is ongoing.

Comment on this article

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POT : 4/29/2009

LEGALIZE IT!!!

E805


Other places to go? : 4/29/2009

Isn't there another place in the 100 block of East Haley? To go to I usually go to Sacred Mountain but if there's going to be these kind of problems I'd rather go somewhere else..

Mike Hunt


IRS? : 4/29/2009

It sounds like the IRS should be notified also.


He's really not a doctor??? : 4/29/2009

What the hell is going on over there? I don't want to go over there to get my medication and walk in on a bust or something. is this place still open? I thought something was funny when they said they were playing by the rules..I guess I better go somewhere else..I remember one time this young jerk that worked there treated me funny cause I'm older and I wanted to kick his butt just because I'm old doen't mean I can't.... Damn young people think they invented the stuff..

Mike Hunt


Scumbag marijuana pushers! : 4/29/2009

It is a shady business at best.

Butt Head


The evil pot dispensary is raided, dude : 4/29/2009

People should NOT have to deal with these dispensaries. They should be able to get their prescription filled at a pharmacy. It's scary to think people may be waiting for folks to come out of the place so they can jack your stuff.

Voodoo Picnic


one bad apple doesnt ruin the tree : 4/30/2009

i know for a fact that tharon weighill is a doctor. the research was not done on this article. while he may be a bad person, this should not ruin it for all other dispensaries. this shop is small time and has been open and playing by the rules for quite some time. this whole situation was mishandled and while it doesnt make it right and believe me i dont like the man but he has been run into this situation by others and should not have to be the only one to suffer. i just hope the person behind all of this steps up(although i know she wont). believe this as fact, he IS a doctor of anthropology, he did indeed do this, but he was not alone, and marijauna dispenseries are legal places of business and just like with any other business, you cannot mix it with pleasure and that is what has happened here. the victim and Dr. Weighill were friends before this and you shouldnt do business with friends.

SB native surfer


Scumbags : 4/30/2009

This is the product of a few individuals who have no clue what they are doing. for the real people who treat patients i have heard of the temple of higher consciousness. those guys are the real medical marijuana dispensery. so goo they have a real website. templehc.org!

wow


Colby is a Douche : 4/30/2009

Tharon has a PhD. Do your homework and get off your high horse!

sound off


: 5/1/2009

A Ph.D. can't tell you anything about the character of an individual. Just that they spent a long time in college. Perhaps if you spent more time in college yo would know that.


: 5/1/2009

and a PhD speaks very little about the character of Mr. Weighill maybe they should investigate the 100s of plants that Mr. Weighill is growing, he's supplying someone with much more than 1 lb/day


Former customer : 5/1/2009

Well I found another place to go and so did a few others I used to dig the drama when I was younger but no more..Allthat sh*t is really stupid that guy might be a doctor but he don't act like one...

Mike Hunt


: 5/1/2009

I think that "high horse" should ride him outta town.


Family : 5/2/2009

Tharon is a a discrase to our family of which I am sad to admit he is a member ,Dont get me wrong we have several phelones being our family is extremly large ,But there is a difference between them and him he's definetly the weseal type out for himself wont take responsibilities for his actions ,Im sure he's crying like a B---H prob in protective custody...Well lets just see how much respect you get from BUBA,LOL

Your Cousin


Re: Family : 5/4/2009

How nice of you to chime in on this and ASSUME that these two men are guilty. Family...do you really know the meaning of the word? BTW-if you're so interested in posting things online, why not take an online English course, get a much needed education, and learn how to spell while you're at it.

Nunya!


Re: Family : 5/7/2009

he is a PhD, and youre right, just cause he went to school doesnt necessarily mean hes intelligent. and as far as all the drama at his shop is concerned, he and his wife are the drama, not the shop. he is a disappointment to our family and its sad to say that he's already talkin to the feds trying to make up anything that will get him out of this mess. as sad as this may sound, he will probably get out of this with his "really good lawyer". i hope they make an example of him for this, though. and he does, in fact, have hundreds of illegal plants, but after being bailed out the next morning, i'm sure they have conveniently disappeared. some snakes can slither out of the tightest grasps. its sad, his disgrace to the family name and the fact that there are some that will stand by him no matter what wrong he has done or what family members he as dragged down with him. i'm fearful of what his ancestors would think, we were not an angry people, no war, just peace.

SB reader


was a vender : 5/12/2009

i was vending to sacred mountain. they owed me 25,500 dollars. instead of paying, they had me arrested. sacred mountain should be shut down. so illegal.

ex-vender


Sacred Moutain : 5/17/2009

ok so all you people condeming two people who are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty - are as much to blame for the events that have transpired -this is you trying some one in the press before they ever get to court in as much as you choose hate some one you really know nothing about why not ask all the homeless people who go to the shop and receive Free medicine because they really cant afford to buy it or the countless families with legitimate medical needs that have been helped or how about all the so called FAMILY members that have come to him with their hand out , asking for money and medicine all of a sudden your cousins ,right, so please dont bring the ancesteral card into this you might find your self in judgement before them, and as far the Vedor that got arrested you failed to mention your partner was carrying your gun cause you were to chickensh#@! to do it your self . and someone was right in one thing real Family sticks by no matter what but I doubt any of you would know anything about that. so go ahead hate all you want that family doesnt know the meaning of quiting and have been warriors all their life

get real


Re: Sacred Mountain/Family : 5/18/2009

Good point, why not ask all the homeless and/or struggling people exactly what the owner of the shop has done for them. Not only do they receive free medicine but even before the shop opened many of them had received clothes and blankets during the winter months because the owner knew they didn't have access to these necessities. Whether you agree with this type of business or Dr. Weighill himself, there is really no reason to post negative criticisms on this site as he has clearly helped many in the community. Take your "family" (since that is what you like to call yourselves) issues elsewhere.

Nunya!


pot shop : 5/18/2009

this is a lie. and i am surprised that sbpd would volunteer such information since it was here say. thomas nathan allmond never owned any part of sacred mountain. he is a street pushing drug dealer who has ruined the lives of many children and families. he is extorting me for my buisness and engaged in an plot of which i am on the receiving end. i am a Doctor- with a credible past! while thomas nathan allmond has pushed drugs in the streets to your kids. we stopped him because we found out what he was doing- the 4oo grand was merely a side fact the the cops tried to fabricate. we terminated him. and when the chips fall everybody will see that sacred mountain is a legit buisness- and i am the only owner. all i can say if you watch closely you will see. when the fat lady sings that the real sacred mountain staff will exonerated.

dr. tharon weighill


re family : 5/18/2009

wow - at least i am know that my genealogically connected folks are so jealous that they feel free to express their trash on line- Naomi ortega and Bubba her son are about as uneducated as people can be. and so you maybe right it took a long time- i had to teach my self how too read and write but i am a doctor -legit -of behavioral social sciences- i cant help it if you did nothing with your life- but my degree means i am trained to watch how people behave.- very interesting behavior. envy is a disastrous affair yall. sorry for your poor ass luck. i can not help it i am successful and educated- and it means way more than just staying in school i have taught hundreds of youth and have put hundreds of hours into gang prevention and drug rehabilitation of youth and HIV intervention. the truth of the matter is i dont owe you retards much of explanations but i can tell you wish you had all my stuff - my ranch my cars and my weed. but i did my work myself - pay my taxes - in fact i probably paid more in taxes last year then you made your whole life so shut your ignorant mouths and get a life. i am still in biz and will be cause i am a legit person and so is my staff and my business . and as for my beautiful queen Vicky - she has more going on then any of you idiots- she works hard and the last time i read free market economy means you get the fruits of your labor so get off your lazy asses and make something happen with your life- quit posting blogs you loosers.

dr. tharon weighill


: 5/19/2009

you mean having an affair and getting knocked up by someone when hes still married to another is called a "queen".....in what reality?

just an observer


: 5/19/2009

dont think hes worried about gettin respect from a child(bubba) molester..would you?


vicky : 5/19/2009

well, i can understand - if women are jealous of queen Victoria- but now that's not really the issue is it. that's your issue! and has nothing to do with whats going on over at Sacred Mountain! So, don't be jealous cause your probably a sorted ex wife- who hides his kid from him and doesn't let hm see while camping out with a Bubba O. a known child molester. i feel for his child while go around and sleep with all his cousins and his brothers what must your little son think about you. putting him in harms way while your junky family comes over and does who knows what in your home- i hope you and your child molester boyfriend Bubba are happy in your darkness. you people are vulgar- i have known- you most of my life and been in your messy ass house -your gross - all of you guys up there in that canyon place. i am not a relative but i am glad unc left scene you people live in a dark world and he is a light being- who has helped me out when ever i needed anything! diapers for my kids food for my family -anything- he would give me the shirt off his back. he gave my family and me a car so that i could get to work and take care of my kids. when i was strung out he got me clean and put me on the right track so that i would stay sober and out of prison. so- i don't how you could say these things- unless you were full of envy like he said. but i know that you guys are all there with you damn hands out wanting his money just like the post said. i feel bad for you guys

some one Dr. Weighill helped out since i was a young kid.


Dr. Weighill : 5/19/2009

i have know this brother for over twenty years he has been an activist - academic- spiritual person- and civic leader- he loves his culture and his country- he has had a rough road i have seen a lot of it. i dont know how he keeps going! i know him cause i have prayed with him and seen the beauty in his heart- he has given his life for his beliefs and lives by them and not one of his values includes violence. i am not sure who his accuser is but i know the Doc- since we were undergrad while he was an activist- he is a trained conflict mediator- that is how i met him- in our course training- and he went on to help settle a few major disputes in Indian country. i have seen that guy - go into the streets of San Francisco and Oakland -in the ghettos - to enroll African American- Native American Indian and Latino- Chicano kids in to the university. i helped him in those very same places -when he was doing HIV prevention for the American Indian AIDS Institute. i helped him take kids from the inner city and show them how to make a sweat lodge and teach them old Indian ways. i am sure he is not a saint but in my book he is as good a man as it gets.

a college buddy


sacred mountain : 5/19/2009

maybe all you people should get a life and try and be productive


Re: the sacred mountain Family : 5/19/2009

If all of you only knew not only the hardships Dr. Weighill has had to deal with you would know that he and his brother are very succesfull each in their own arena they should be looked at as examples of how to come from the streets and be able to acomplish the things these men have. How many of you have accomplished anything near the things these men have accomplished I have worked with the older brother in the best Restaraunts in California and have seen Tharon pull young people off the streets and help them be productive so those of you who are perfect cast the first stone, oh by the way I would definitely leave the older one alone


Dr. Weighill : 5/19/2009

You have no Idea what success and achievement is ,You base your values on what the white society has persuaded you to believe in..Wish you had my stuff perfect example of what white society has taught you,LOL you claim to be different and successful but by whose standards?Yet you base your achievements on your Ranch,your cars your weed perfect example of a maniupliated mind,Yet you claim to be a sacred man ,Seems you cant figure whom you want to be and in such instant until you find that out you will never be happy,If your reading this I have just entered and hit a spot within your soul,you know I have your helpless to me now you know & feel it,I dont want to harm you but only awaken you and sway you away from that path your heading down,Any harm to you will come from within there is no need for me nor others to influence it ,I can only hope it is not set in stone yet.It seems you have done some good in your past involvement with youth, helping those less fortunate than yourself and even those whom had a hand out from time to time ,However a true man does not do these things and at a later seek praise for such things ,As these are things that have been laid infont of you along your path, I will not compete with you on monetary standards but rest assured I to came from nothing and am very confident your assets and bank account are no match to mine,However that is not how success is measured,I have done voulenteer work for those less fortunate as well as offering the services of my company at my expense but I will not go any further into detail as those were things I did from my heart no need to praise me for such things as thanks enough comes from the feeling I get when I think back to how good it felt helping others out.I can only hope this has helped awaken you if not just remember I offered you a second chance to reflect upon your past now you are at a crossroads in your path along your journey you must make a decision of which path to complete your journey,I can tell you this if you choose the wrong one you journey will end fairly soon if you choose the correct one you will be around long and someday earn the respect of others whom will follow you behind a man whom knows the true meaning.when things get tough say this phrase ( Lo' ush kushkush chawatya anaya... )

A Brother


Re: A Brother : 5/20/2009

Don't hate, pretend Chumash guy. che li nu wi kulti hahash y mologui taqin xew y kulupe hahash kukunupmawa awkshawla xew

Sisterhood of the Tomola


A Brother : 5/20/2009

Comprehension isn't your strong point...

A Reader


Re: A Brother : 5/20/2009

I encourage you to re-read Dr. Weighill's blog because he is saying that these things mean little to him, only in so much as it can help what he considers his real tribe-his fellow americans...people in need. So yeah, pretend "Chumash" person, you're lacking comprehension skills and when I last checked it was 2009 not 1491 and just because he is accomplished by modern standards it doesn't make him any less a sacred person. The only person who's obviously lacking is you who doesn't understand it's not a red world, white world, green world, or a black world, it's just a world and we are all children of the Great Spirit. Dr. Weighill lives by that and no one can be kicked out of the sacred circle. You're obviously a bigot trying to hide behind Native American lore that you obviously know nothing about!

A Native American Elder


: 5/20/2009

how bout hearin from some peeps who REALLY know him..cause all im hearin is ..blah ,blah,blah...and sista last time i checked it was "BROTHERHOOD of the TOMOL"..ya know a mens society...fact i remember Liz Easter sayin exactly that..."Your gonna grow a penis"...but facts is facts and lets just say there are some jus shakin thier heads and wonderin..bottom line..ya messed up...hope you can learn..somes jus not meant to be in da business......karma,karma, karma....lets hope the road gets better for ya..and you remember who really counts in the end ..even when ya let them down....and as far as the s*&^ talkers..well put ya boots on its gettin deep...


: 5/20/2009

after all has been said and done i hope tharon and the only other one that has been ther his whole life can find away back to eachother cause that relasionship is eternal and all the rest can fall off and find some other crap to cling to...


: 5/23/2009

Yes, there are heads shaking right now...including mine from reading all this ridiculous nonsense...


FROM ONE OF NATHAN'S VICTIMS : 5/24/2009

Few were more surprised than I when I read of the bust. Having had a serious fight with cancer I came to know Dr. Weighill and Sacred Mountain Medicine. When I read of the bust I couldn't understand how the person that I came to know could perpetrate such an act. I was perplexed for days. That is because I took the article at face value and questioned nothing, although it made no sense to me. Over time I became a vendor and got to 'know' Nathan. He gladly accepted my product. When I would try to receive payment he would tell me things such as "well, we've had lots of complaints about the quality" so he devalued it by $3000. He asked for edibles and I got the same response, even though I doubled the strength for him. Receiving payment was next to impossible. A few days before the bust Nathan told me to come back in one half hour. I returned exactly 29 minutes later and he was gone. When he told me to call him he would not answer the phone. When he told me to come by the shop for payment he wouldn't be there. Upon one visit when Nathan was there I witnessed him tell a new trainee at the front desk that if anyone called for him 'tell them I am not here". Now I know why. I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones, I am out only about $4000. The next time I went to the shop Therin was running it once again. I was a bit apprehensive about being there, having read the article on the bust. I spoke to Therin and his wife and heard their side of the story. All of a sudden the picture was clear, I was just one of many that Nathan has ripped off. I do not spend my time wishing Nathan any ill will. He will have to live the karma that he created and ulimately will pay for it. And Nathen, if you are reading this, presuming that you CAN read, there are many who would love to see your face back in this town. Instead of fleeing this would be a testament to your integrity, if you have any. I don't believe that Therin is the one who should be facing a judge and a jury, it is YOU!!! If there is someone out there with a positive statement about Nathan I would love to see it. As to you, Nathan, what have YOU to say to all of those that you ripped off?

Believer


NA NA NA NA NATHAN : 5/25/2009

I stutter when I say that name. It is the new "N" word.

Believer


nathan the thief : 5/28/2009

i as well used to be a vender at sacred when the Wieghill's started the store were there- thinking it was the same people i gave Nathan Allman 2 pounds of my best medical cannibus and Nathan burned me for over 10, 000.00. i was shocked at the press because when the Weighill family were there i always got paid - then Nathan strung me out for months and i recieved a fraction of my pay-200.00 out of 10,000.00 i hope you get what you deserve. Nathan- sleeze bag i heard he was operating at AMG

Still vending to Sacred Mountain Medicine


Curious : 6/29/2009

Anyone know what happened with this investigation?


he may have a phd : 7/1/2009

sounds to me like his phd did jack for him....he has a business on Haley for christs sake....he is a failure

stoney baloney


You and your family need to move : 7/1/2009

cuz you guys all sound like a bunch of loser....what kind of doctor threatens someone for 400k? one that knows he aint ever gonna see it again. Sounds like you need to grow some balls....have a family reunion and get drugs out of your families lives cuz it screwed you right up the anus so hard your brain is fried.....doc lol

real man with a real job


duh : 7/1/2009

he held someone at knifepoint....he needs to be locked up and have his phd taken away, because he is not right in his head...mebbe HE should go see a real doctor

go back to your casino and preach there


dah : 7/3/2009

no honor among thieves

told ya so


to curious.. : 7/4/2009

far as i heard the d.a. dropped it all and i heard the feds are after the guy who made the charges..now isnt that ironic!


Rush to Judgement : 7/11/2009

I am appalled by the whole nature of this fiasco, particularly by the way it has been handled by the press and law enforcement. What happened to "innocent until proven guilty?" Dr. Weighill may not be a medical doctor but he IS a real doctor who has distinguished himself in academia and through his groundbreaking publications. True, he is not a saint but his compassion and honesty in dealing with patients cannot truly be questioned, a fact attested to by some of the posters on this site. I feel we must address the unspoken question of race in this whole sordid episode. Why is it that the word of a white male who provided no proof of a crime having taken place was accepted wholeheartedly by police without having thoroughly investigated, whereas a dark skinned man of Native descent (pretend Chumash or not) was crucified in the media and hung out to dry in the court of public opinion by those same police? I don't know for sure if race was an issue, but let's be honest about the power structure and state of racial affairs in Santa Barbara. Maybe Weighill is a scumbag and a crimminal, but what if HE is the victim of a plot by this accuser who many have in turn accused of being the real crimminal. Regardless of our varied opinions on Dr. Weighill, we owe it to ourselves as conscientious members of society to withhold rash judgement before the evidence has been presented in an impartial manner and before the accused has had a chance to tell his side of the story. What if you were the one accused of something you did not do but the media and police had already tried and convicted you without giving you an opportunity to exonerate yourself? It's a scary thought and if for no other reason we should be cautious in our condemnation of this man, whatever his numerous faults may be, because next time it might be one of us in this position.

Not a Friend or Relative


investigation : 7/16/2009

ok does anyone know what really happened with the invesigation or is everyone gonna keep writing nonsense? and why are casinos even mentioned here...stay focused people sheesh.


: 7/18/2009

seriously...case dropped,accuser now on run


: 7/22/2009

Tharon's preliminary hearing is next week. Hopefully, all charges will be dropped. I hear that they are going to go after Nathan but that is heresay only. The entire episode was caught by the security cameras and do not support that looser Nathan's claims. Nathan was at the dispensary on Haley. Rumor has it he is Ventura now. Soon to be at the Ironb Bars Hotel on Calle Real I hope. He is the scum of the earth. Hang in there Tharon.

Believer in Tharon


Update of Dr.Weighill : 3/8/2010

Can Anyone tell me how this hearing went, or what has happened to Tharon since July 22 with this case/story???

The Drummer


Re: Update : 3/10/2010

Sounds like you know him...why don't you ask him yourself?


They got robbed again : 3/12/2010

One of their employees took a bunch of, ahem, business supplies.

why can't we close these things?


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