DA dismisses pot case against Springs doctor

Prosecutors have declined to file charges against a Colorado Springs doctor who was arrested last month on suspicion of illegally growing 83 marijuana plants.

At a court hearing on Thursday, the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office dismissed the case against Kristine Hembre, a 50-year-old asthma specialist.

A co-defendant, Jordan Liken, is still facing charges and has a disposition hearing set for Dec. 1.

They were arrested on suspicion of cultivating marijuana following an Oct. 13 search of a home in the 1600 block of Mesa Road.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Dan Zook said he could not discuss the reasons for dropping the charges against Hembre at this time because the charge against Liken is still pending.

Hembre’s lawyer praised the District Attorney’s Office for dismissing the case against his client.

“Dr. Hembre and I are grateful that the system worked and worked fairly early in the process so that she didn’t have to endure the stress and tension of going through a protracted jury trial – although we believe the result would have been the same,” attorney Pat Mika said.

Mika called the arrest of his client “a travesty” and said police moved too quickly.

“We believe this is a situation where law enforcement rushed to conclusions based upon rumors and speculation that Dr. Hembre was involved in some illicit activity,” he said. “It’s fortunate that the district attorney was able to take a fresh and objective examination and come to the same conclusion that we did.”

He said the case involved marijuana plants grown by a tenant who also is a medical marijuana patient and caretaker. Mika said his client was unaware of any illegal activity.

Despite the district attorney’s decision, Mika said his client still had to endure the humiliation of being arrested, booked and bonded out of jail.

“The real problem is the damage that’s been done to her reputation in the community,” Mika said. “We do feel the process did ultimately work. She can hold her head up in this community and know that she didn’t do anything wrong.”

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