Medical Marijuana Grower Who Was Shot and Stabbed Runs a "Compassion Club"

Martin Ridgway, the medical marijuana grower who was shot and stabbed inside his Surprise home yesterday during a robbery, was actually running a "compassion club" out of his house. You can find the website for 420 Compassion Club West Valley here, which states Ridgway founded the organization last year. Since thousands of people have medical marijuana cards in the state, but there won't be dispensaries for about a year -- if at all -- compassion clubs have popped up as the way for card holders to obtain marijuana.

Those with the plants don't sell the product, but instead offer it up in exchange for donations. The legality of the clubs is questionable, as locations are still being raided by police. "We have Caregivers that can supply medications to you, can provide expert growing, harvesting and medicine administration advice, as well as short term caregiver needs," 420 Compassion Club's website says. "We offer clones, medicine, tintures, edibles and advice on using these items to benifit your health and [well-being]."

The website notes that you have to have a medical marijuana card to participate, and states very clearly not to ask them for medication or advice if you don't have a medical marijuana card. Ridgway is in critical condition after being shot once in the abdomen and stabbed multiple times by one of the three men who came to Ridgway's home posing as medical marijuana patients, police say. According to court documents, the man who shot and stabbed Ridgway died as police officers came through the door of the home, after Ridgway returned some stabs in self-defense. Ridgway was able to tell police that the three men came to his house to buy marijuana, but gave him fake medical marijuana cards.

Two of the four people allegedly involved in the robbery -- Stephanie Conley and Jesse Gillen -- were arrested, and face several charges, including murder. The man who died in the house hasn't been identified by police, while the other man involved evaded police. According to the court documents, the house had "hundreds of marijuana plants," as well as "multiple packages of marijuana ready for sale." A police spokesman did not immediately respond to New Times' inquiries about the legality of Ridgway's marijuana setup at his home.