Tag Archives: Dispensaries
Michigan Supreme Court Bans Private Medical Dispensaries
The Michigan Supreme Court, in a 4-1 decision, 
ruled that medical marijuana cannot be sold through private dispensaries, affirming the state’s Court of Appeals’ finding.
“This is the end of the road,” said Matthew Abel, a Detroit attorney with the firm Cannabis Counsel PLC. “It will be a mess until the Legislature clarifies what kinds of business entities are allowed to exist.”
Michigan became the 13th state to legalize marijuana in 2008. There are currently more than 124,000 registered medical marijuana users living in the state.
DEA Sends 3 More Letters To Seattle Marijuana Dispensaries
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration sent three more letters to Seattle-area medical marijuana dispensaries last week, agency spokesperson Jodie Underwood has confirmed. The letters “strongly advised” the dispensaries to pay “prompt attention” that they are in violation of federal law, and directed them to close down with 30 days.
The letters notified the dispensaries that they are operating in violation of the federal Uniform Controlled Substances Act, and also that federal law stipulates enhanced penalties for “drug dealing” within 1,000 feet of schools or other facilities catering to children.
The owner of HypeHerbally, one of the three shops receiving DEA letters last week, said he was surprised by the letter. According to Justin Ruiz, he’s measured his shop’s distance from a nearby park, and it’s more than 50 feet over the 1,000-foot limit. But, he says, “I can’t argue with the DEA.”
“We had the chance to see one of the letters that was released in August,” Dr. Decrim said. “Though the letters do say they were mailed because the business is operating within 1,000 feet of a school, this is only an enhancement charge. The actual crime they are being accused of in these letters is, paraphrased, operating an illegal drug enterprise.
“Considering the above, this part seems to be a very bad, and noteworthy, sign of a possible trend, in my opinion,” Dr. Decrim said.
“The lesson to be learned here, though, in my opinion, is that this is not the time for people in the medical field to be making any ‘big moves,’ ” Dr. Decrim said. “Discretion is going to be key in weathering this storm.
“So when it comes to media, advertising, filing for any forms of licenses, or anything else that can draw unwanted public attention for activity considered federally illicit: Everyone I know will be holding off until after the elections,” he said.
“It seems like a wise choice to me.”
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Both LA County DA Candidates Set Sights On Pot Dispensaries
Tweedle-dumb and Tweedle-dumber? So much for actual choices at the ballot box.
“It’s my position that over-the-counter sales for money of marijuana are illegal,” Lacey said.
Lacey, 54, chief deputy district attorney, is second in command to current L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley, notorious for his irrational hatred of medical marijuana and the patients who need it, and supports his restrictive policies regarding cannabis. Cooley has endorsed her, as have the labor unions that represent L.A.P.D. cops and L.A. County deputies.
Jackson, 46, is assistant head deputy of the major crimes unit, and has publicly criticized Cooley’s handling of the relationship with former police union President Steve Ipsen, who is now suing Cooley in federal court for alleged anti-union activities.
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Ten More Colorado Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Close Their Doors
Joe | Sep 18, 2012 | Comments 1
U.S. Attorney John Walsh has successfully shut down ten more functioning businesses in Colorado.
DENVER—Ten marijuana stores have complied with a federal order to shut down or face federal legal action.
U.S. Attorney John Walsh sent letters to the stores giving them until midnight Monday to comply. In a statement Tuesday, Walsh says all 10 have stopped their operations.
The latest round is the third wave of letters sent by Walsh to a total of 57 marijuana businesses in Colorado that are within 1,000 feet of schools. Walsh says a vast majority of marijuana stores meeting that criteria have closed.
Another round of letters is planned.
Of course another round of letters is planned. If the federal government can shut down most dispensaries for just the cost of a mailed letter, they’ll take that deal every time. The fact is that the feds don’t have the resources to physically close every dispensary in CA, CO, WA and other states. The must rely on the threat of legal action and property confiscation to do most of the work for them.
And so far the threats are working quite well in shutting down dispensaries and cutting off access for patients.
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MMJ Dispensaries Should Get on 502 Bandwagon
Seattle’s medical marijuana stores have been living in a dream. Some have been so complacent as to oppose Initiative 502, the decriminalization measure on the Nov. 6 ballot.
They didn’t want a state marijuana tax. They didn’t want regulation by the Liquor Control Board, and they didn’t want a blood-THC standard for driving under the influence. They had what they wanted, marijuana unregulated and tax-free, protected by the forbearance of liberal politicians.
Now they don’t have it. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has moved to shut down 26 of Seattle’s 145 dispensaries because they are within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or, in the case of a Shoreline dispensary, a public trail.
The DEA spokeswoman says all the remaining marijuana stores are illegal, too. An outspoken Seattle attorney now advises his cannabis clients: “Close, and close fast.”
Closed doors are not what the people of Washington want. More than 58 percent of voters favored medical cannabis 14 years ago, and more people support it now. We believe they are ready for the next step, marijuana decriminalization for general adult use. I-502 is a vehicle for the people to say that. It is a way to push back against the Obama administration, which has been much less liberal on this issue than many had hoped.
Everyone involved in medical cannabis should support Initiative 502. It does not offer unregulated freedom; the people of Washington are not ready for that. We believe they are ready to bring marijuana above ground to license it, tax it and regulate its sale and use. Initiative 502 asks for that. It is a step forward.
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Published: September 7, 2012
Copyright: 2012 The Seattle Times Company
Contact: opinion@seatimes.com
Website: http://www.seattletimes.com/
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