We have been told by AG Holder that unless people in Ca. were breaking local laws that the DEA would leave them alone. Over the last couple months the facts seem to say otherwise.
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has flouted Mendocino County, California’s newly enacted medical marijuana ordinance by raiding the first collective that had applied to the sheriff’s cultivation permit program.
Follow that Law and get busted ?
The Locals don't believe that the Sheriffs office turned them in but it sure feels like they had something to do with it to me.
A multi-agency federal task force descended on the property of Joy Greenfield, 689, the first Mendo patient to pay the $1,050 application fee under the ordinance, which allows collectives to grow up to 99 plants provided they comply with certain regulations.DEA Flouts Mendocino Medical Marijuana Ordinance by Raiding First Grow Permit Applicant
This was not some huge grow they busted, by law they could only grow 99 plants or less. Not the kind of grow that would be able to effect the black market, barely enough to support the members of the Collective doing the growing. Even the Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman said all the paperwork had been done to make this a legal grow, not to mention the fact that the collective "Light the Way" "had passed a preliminary inspection by the Mendo sheriff’s deputies shortly before the raid, and she had bought the sheriff’s "zip-ties" intended to designate her cannabis plants as legal."
California NORML director Dale Gieringer was quick to respond to this injustice."This raid is clear evidence that the DEA is out of control, A change in federal law is long overdue. In the meantime, the DEA needs a new director who will enforce Attorney General Holder's pledge not to interfere in state medical marijuana laws."
To makes thing even worse for Medical Users in Ca. is the mistake by Pres.Obama to keep on the job a Bush burrower, Michele Leonhart. Patients and Growers have written numerous letters and complaints about her to both Holder and the President to no avail. She seems to enjoy thumbing her nose at both Ca. laws and the current administration. She continues to do big damage to the Obama claims of transparency and Holders promise to back off on legal Collectives. Maybe we all need to send them both another letter just to make our point again.
One last thought. If or when , in Nov., Ca. voters chose to legalize all marijuana use by Adult, will the DEA continue this stupid war on people ? I think it is a sure bet if Michele Leonhart has anything to say about it. It will get even worse and more money will be wasted. It is because of the DEA and local towns and cities banning and or raiding dispensaries,and denying patients their meds, that has pushed legalization faster than most activists thought it would come. I hope it will comeback to slap the DEA right in the chops.
Update : Just reported on by the AP.
12 Arrested in Alleged S. California Pot Ring
Something smells about these arrests if the marijuana was grown for dispensaries.
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Authorities say 12 members of a Southern California ring that illegally sold millions of dollars of pot through medical marijuana dispensaries are behind bars and facing federal charges.