loudthoughts
Member
just went to el camino. they say they are staying strong. no plans to give up. support your local shops stickin it to the man!
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Calif. pot dispensaries told by feds to shut down
- Thread starter vta
- Start date
In the city of San Bernardino there are a bunch of shops, like 20 according to the Weed Maps. There were none a couple years back or that I knew of.
I think they are just thinning the herd a little and getting the bigger players out of the game. The DEA can not afford to be too successful as their job depends on never being able to completely stamp out drugs.
I think they are just thinning the herd a little and getting the bigger players out of the game. The DEA can not afford to be too successful as their job depends on never being able to completely stamp out drugs.
An embattled Orangevale medical marijuana dispensary is going out with a bong, er, bang.
In response to federal and county efforts to shut down dispensaries, Magnolia Wellness is having a farewell party on Friday – its last day of business – with free pot for its customers.
"We're going to set the place up like a holiday party," says Steven Lee, Magnolia's outreach manager. But instead of eggnog and hot toddies, managers will be distributing free "meds" (for offsite consumption, of course) – along with onsite servings of barbecue, burgers and other munchies.
Any Magnolia customer showing up will get a free gram of "top shelf" cannabis, Lee says.
The shop – at 9198 Greenback Lane – also is offering discounted prices on additional weed so customers can stock up on their supplies while advocates of medical marijuana battle the crackdown that's already forced most of the dispensaries in Sacramento County to close their doors.
One of the dispensaries' plans is to sponsor a voter initiative on the issue. Says Lee, "We haven't given up."
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/13/4118342/bob-shallit-its-party-time-friday.html#ixzz1gQYa6Hh5
And additional new
California Governor Quietly Kills Narcotic Enforcement & Investigations Full Disclosure Network® Video Report
Share
By Full Disclosure Network
Published: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 - 3:19 am
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2011 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Full Disclosure Network® reveals the impending demise of the California Department of Justice Drug Enforcement and Investigation Bureaus. Featured in an 8 minute video news report DOJ Special Agent Cary Cavaleri, Board Member of the Association of Special Agents, tells Full Disclosure how political forces, favoring the legalization of drugs in California, must be cheered by Governor Jerry Brown's approved budget. The secret negotiations resulted in the defunding of the DOJ'sBureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) and Bureau of Intelligence and Investigations (BII). Cavaleri contends this action threatens many on-going prosecutions and investigations. Watch Video Here: http://www.fulldisclosure.net/Blogs/109.php
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AUTHORITY CHALLENGEDSpecial Agent Cavaleri told Full Disclosure that Governor Brown approved cuts, known as "reallocating" funding, that cut in half the enforcement work force of California Attorney General Kamala Harris. Cavaleri told Full Disclosure that 200 of the 400 DOJ investigators are being notified they will lose their jobs due to this reallocation of funds.
SPECIAL AGENTS FILE LAWSUIT In the absence of opposition from Attorney General Kamala Harris, the Association of Special Agents for the California Department of Justice has stepped in to fight. Naming both Governor Brown and Director of Department of Finance, the Association has filed a Writ of Mandate in the Sacramento Superior Court, Case No. 34-2011-80001009 on November 23, 2011, asking for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief claiming the Attorney General's constitutional authority has been undermined.
POLITICS AND BUDGET CUTSAccording to the Special Agents Sacramento based attorney, David P. Mastagni, the case is expected to move forward soon with extensive discovery, requests for admissions and video depositions. Presumably the Special Agents are looking to determine what political forces influenced the decision to gut the Narcotic Enforcement Budget. When asked why the Governor would want to cut the Attorney General's enforcement staff in half, Cary Cavaleri speculated in the video that the Brown administration may be harboring resentment for the Special Agents endorsement of Meg Whitman for Governor.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/13/4118825/california-governor-quietly-kills.html#ixzz1gQYrhvyT
In response to federal and county efforts to shut down dispensaries, Magnolia Wellness is having a farewell party on Friday – its last day of business – with free pot for its customers.
"We're going to set the place up like a holiday party," says Steven Lee, Magnolia's outreach manager. But instead of eggnog and hot toddies, managers will be distributing free "meds" (for offsite consumption, of course) – along with onsite servings of barbecue, burgers and other munchies.
Any Magnolia customer showing up will get a free gram of "top shelf" cannabis, Lee says.
The shop – at 9198 Greenback Lane – also is offering discounted prices on additional weed so customers can stock up on their supplies while advocates of medical marijuana battle the crackdown that's already forced most of the dispensaries in Sacramento County to close their doors.
One of the dispensaries' plans is to sponsor a voter initiative on the issue. Says Lee, "We haven't given up."
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/13/4118342/bob-shallit-its-party-time-friday.html#ixzz1gQYa6Hh5
And additional new
California Governor Quietly Kills Narcotic Enforcement & Investigations Full Disclosure Network® Video Report
Share
By Full Disclosure Network
Published: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 - 3:19 am
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2011 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Full Disclosure Network® reveals the impending demise of the California Department of Justice Drug Enforcement and Investigation Bureaus. Featured in an 8 minute video news report DOJ Special Agent Cary Cavaleri, Board Member of the Association of Special Agents, tells Full Disclosure how political forces, favoring the legalization of drugs in California, must be cheered by Governor Jerry Brown's approved budget. The secret negotiations resulted in the defunding of the DOJ'sBureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) and Bureau of Intelligence and Investigations (BII). Cavaleri contends this action threatens many on-going prosecutions and investigations. Watch Video Here: http://www.fulldisclosure.net/Blogs/109.php
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AUTHORITY CHALLENGEDSpecial Agent Cavaleri told Full Disclosure that Governor Brown approved cuts, known as "reallocating" funding, that cut in half the enforcement work force of California Attorney General Kamala Harris. Cavaleri told Full Disclosure that 200 of the 400 DOJ investigators are being notified they will lose their jobs due to this reallocation of funds.
SPECIAL AGENTS FILE LAWSUIT In the absence of opposition from Attorney General Kamala Harris, the Association of Special Agents for the California Department of Justice has stepped in to fight. Naming both Governor Brown and Director of Department of Finance, the Association has filed a Writ of Mandate in the Sacramento Superior Court, Case No. 34-2011-80001009 on November 23, 2011, asking for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief claiming the Attorney General's constitutional authority has been undermined.
POLITICS AND BUDGET CUTSAccording to the Special Agents Sacramento based attorney, David P. Mastagni, the case is expected to move forward soon with extensive discovery, requests for admissions and video depositions. Presumably the Special Agents are looking to determine what political forces influenced the decision to gut the Narcotic Enforcement Budget. When asked why the Governor would want to cut the Attorney General's enforcement staff in half, Cary Cavaleri speculated in the video that the Brown administration may be harboring resentment for the Special Agents endorsement of Meg Whitman for Governor.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/13/4118825/california-governor-quietly-kills.html#ixzz1gQYrhvyT
growclean
Grow Clean.... Go Fast!
A move to decriminalize substances that have been shown to be less harmful to society than previously stated, while at the same time savings millions of dollars in payroll to uneeded LEO, Prosecutors, "Special" Agents, prison expenses, parole,etc... is met with a lawsuit by those that have been now shown to wasting our money and treating the PEOPLE like animals?
Who do we sue when you take away our jobs????
FreedomFightr
Member
Headband- Wow thanks for posting that about Jerry Brown. I have not heard about this yet. Hmmmmm. I wonder what's up?
Boy Howdy...This has gotten ridiculous! Perhaps just plain stupid is a better description. We, as growers here in the 530 are now under serious fire by a town council with the mentality of a paranoid mob armed with pitchforks and torches. When you throw in the logic and powers of our Board of Supervisors, neither the council or the BOS will be satisfied until they burn the entire town down just to prove it isnt fire-proof.
Speaking for myself, the dispensaries need to fend for themselves. They are all playing the "we are helping the sick and dying" card now, but most of them were nothing more than cold and calculating commercial/capitalistic enterprises before the big bad County wolf came snarling at their doors. As a former vendor to dispensaries in Redding, it was always "donate at ridiculously low wholesale prices so the dispensary could sell at the same competitive and high prices of the other dispensaries. And oh by the way, leave your meds on consignment and we'll dole out $20.00 a week to you..." For those of you who are pro-dispensary, I respect your views & opinions so please respect mine.
Well, the med-chickens have come home to roost. IMO, the dispensaries that are closing (cutting and running) didnt have strong beliefs in what they were doing to begin with. Theyre giving back unsold meds to vendors(what a joke, it must be nice when you close a store to be able to just "give back" the inventory) and catchin the first cya-freight out of town. So be it.
Those dispensaries who have decided to stand and fight, I applaud you. You give me hope that you might really care about the sick and dying. If some are indeed allowed to continue operating they might learn something important from this mess: If you treat your vendors fairly and with simple mutual respect in regard to we are also helping the sick and dying, you would have our support and alliance and we would help you fight your fight. As it stands now, you stand alone...'Ya see what happens Larry..."
But here's the big story: The Redding town council and BOS are now also coming after us, the growers. Read and digest below the latest council session results/madness as it pertains to the growers/cultivators here in Shasta Co. All this comes on the heels of the Back vs Long Beach ruling, which by the way, is being challenged as I type.
When all is said and done, I think the city of Redding powers-that-think-they-be will be left with political egg on their faces and will be facing more lawsuits (including those already filed) along with hard questions as why they were so quickly willing to rid our county of a "golden goose" knowing it supports a large portion of our local economy and more important, where do they plan to get the money to pay the legal fees for their prematurely planned witch hunt? With the barely ink dried Back vs Long Beach ruling, which as I said, is no done deal by any stretch, Shasta County jumped the gun and bravely and brazenly scooched out on the anti-med limb thinking they finally have their opportunity to rid our county once and for all of the evil med-weed. In an area that has little more than being located next to I-5 going for it in regard to healthy industry, all they have managed to do is throw the baby out with the bath water...CC
From the Redding Searchlight:
The Shasta County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted an ordinance today banning medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated parts of the county and narrowly passed a second ordinance several hours later regulating pot growth for county residents.
"I am convinced based on the testimony today of the legal sufficiency of our actions, and I also believe, while inconvenient, there's a certain amount of reasonableness associated" with banning dispensaries, said Supervisor David Kehoe.
The board in November will re-examine the second ordinance that introduced pot restrictions to county growers.
It passed with a 3-2 vote. Supervisors Les Baugh and Linda Hartman dissented to the growth ordinance, both requesting the proposal go back to county planning staff to make certain restrictions stricter.
The cultivation ordinance bans growing inside residences, but allows it in detached accessory structures and sets limits for outdoor growing regardless of how many patients live at a residence.
Residents with less than an acre couldn't grow any more than 60 square feet of marijuana, while those living on more than 1 but less than 2 acres could grow up to 100 square feet. Similarly, those with 2 to just under 5 acres could grow 150 square feet and people living on 5 acres up to 20 could grow 240 square feet of pot.
Those with 20 acres or more would be limited to 360 square feet of plants.
Before the meeting began, medical marijuana supporters lined the street outside the administration building this morning, waving signs denouncing the proposals.
About 60 people attended this morning's session, which resumed from recess around 1:30 p.m. for the second round of the meeting.
Supervisor Glenn Hawes said he wanted to wait to vote on the ordinance until some audience members' concerns are addressed more thoroughly.
"The need is there, and they can't do it. What do you do? Let's take our time and think this thing out and do a good job," he said to applause and cheers from the audience.
Lisa Lozier, a senior planner with Shasta County, said there wouldn't be any tracking system for marijuana growth in the county with the new growth ordinance.
"Ultimately, we're not proposing to track them...it would be by complaint basis," she said.
Lozier recommended supervisors adopt the ordinance that would set a 1,000-foot "no-grow" zone between cultivation sites and "sensitive areas," such as schools, youth organizations, school bus stops or churches.
Neil Fairburn, 65, said the proposed growing restrictions are "out of line."
"The marijuana has helped me, and you're telling me I'm only going to get 60 square feet to grow it? That's not going to fly," he said.
Fairburn said supervisors need to actually talk to people who have grown to see how much space is really needed.
Tammy Brazil, owner of Queen of Dragons collective in Shasta Lake, said she's exhausted from growing marijuana for her patients.
"We need something that, if they're in the country, it's cool...I don't want these kids seeing it on their way to school," but their needs to be more room for rural residents to grow, she said.
Marcia Jones said, "Everybody has rights. It's not just their rights, it's not just our rights." She said the cultivation needs to be re-examined to be more fair for patients, though.
Rob McDonald said unconstitutional judges passed restrictions on marijuana in the first place.
"I'm asking you guys to get some logic. You're getting lies from your own people...we don't like people that have never in their life smoked marijuana telling us how bad it is for us..."
Matthew Meyer said, "This is a balancing act....but we don't know what the impacts of this ordinance are going to be. That's a serious issue, I think, that we don't know (how many will live in a "no-grow" zone)."
Meyer said the fact that no one knows how many patients the ordinance would prevent from growing is reason enough to send it back to the planning department.
"If you look at what's actually going to happen...it's not going to balance (patients') rights with the rights of people to live in a safe community."
Daniel Levine said, "What this ordinance does is, it forces the oldest patients, the sickest patients, to have virtually no means to grow...you couple this with the dispensary ordinance you just passed...it just really doesn't make any sense."
Those in favor of the growth ordinance also addressed the board.
Mike Ashmun of the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, who spoke on behalf of Sheriff Tom Bosenko, said the square-footage provisions in the cultivation ordinance should be reduced. Ashmun also said there should be a written statement required from landlords conseting to marijuana growth on their property.
Elizabeth Healy said she's "concerned and heart-sickened " by the marijuana "crisis" in the area.
"The entire nature of our sweet, safe neighborhood has been horribly compromised," she said regarding a pot-growing neighbor. Healy said she wants the county to require 2,000 feet between grows and schools.
Kerrie Hoppes said, "This problem is real and it is big, and it is growing on a regular basis. Somehow, all that medical marijuana gets in the hands of our young people. It's the normalization of the use of that drug that's regularly impacting their lives."
Rubin Cruse, county counsel, said a permitting system for medical marijuana would be "questionable."
He said his interpretation of the law is that local jurisdictions can regulate growth, despite certain state laws that suggest otherwise.
"The idea that limitations cannot be imposed is not necessarily correct, in my opinion," he said.
Cameron Mooney said people shouldn't ignore marijuana's dangers just because it's not as harmful as other drugs.
"They are not fully present (mentally)," he said of marijuana users.
Lozier said county staff recommended to add text to the ordinance saying medical marijuana has "negative effects on physical, mental and community health."
Many county residents also addressed the board in opposition of the dispensary ordinance.
Marcia Jones, who said she's a medical marijuana patient, said, "We all rely upon you...to protect us. That is the oath of office, as several people have said."
She said the ordinances appear to be an "attempt to subvert state law."
"I would really rather not see the people of my state and my county hook up with these guys (drug dealers)," Jones said.
"God prefers mercy, not punishment," she said.
"Please do regulate us," she said. "Please do give us a way to live healthfully, comfortably."
John Fuery, who said he's an Oakland attorney and was asked to come to the meeting by local patients said, "Every one of you (supervisors) has taken an oath to defend the constitution..."
If supervisors approve the ban, "I'll be in court for a long time up here, and I'm looking forward to that," he said to a round of applause from audience members.
James Benno of Redding said the county's rationale is "laughable."
"I don't know what you guys are trying to pull" by taking away medicine, Benno said. "I really don't understand what your logic and thinking is."
Benno, who later cursed at supervisors repeatedly, got up to leave the meeting and was escorted out by a deputy at the request of Supervisor Les Baugh.
Jess Brewer, owner of Trusted Friends collective in Redding, said, "I believe that it's (crime) not going to go away. What we would like is for true patients to be able to get medicine safely...I'm just asking that you would think about the medical patients in this county. I think there is some fraud...but there's goingt to be problems anywhere...I ask that you don't ban clubs...everything else that you're doing, I believe, is against the law."
Matthew Meyer said he welcomes marijuana regulations, he just wants patients to have legal access.
"It's (a problem) because it's not regulated," he said. "It's going to be here. The question is, who is going to be producing it, selling it and buying it?"
Russ Kemp, who said he's a stage-three hepatitis c patient and terminally ill, said, "I had to smoke a great deal to talk to you because this makes me sick...Shame on you! Shame on you , Shasta County! Shame on you."
After the Redding City Council's recent ban on collectives, which demanded they close by Dec. 1, local medical cannabis advocates say the county's proposal to shutter them in rural areas as well is devastating.
For nearly two years now, there's been a moratorium on dispensaries in rural Shasta County. The city's recent shutdown, on the other hand, came about in response to the Pack v. Long Beach ruling, which said federal law trumped the city of Long Beach's medical marijuana ordinance.
But there have never been any growing guidelines for Shasta County.
The ordinance also bans people from growing within 1,000 feet of schools, school bus stops, churches, public parks, libraries or a "youth-oriented facility." The gardens would have to meet minimum setbacks from parcel lines and adjacent residences.
Kamala Speaks….Says crackdown makes no sense…State will regulate.
Posted by Mickey Martin
So CA Attorney General Kamala Harris, who likely got elected due to the advocacy of the medical cannabis movement, has finally spoken up (although not as forcefully as I would have liked); but spoken up none-the-less. Her comments are telling, as she mentions she was not informed of the crackdown (a statement that seems to say she is not feeling the love from Obama’s folks), and that she think the crackdown “makes no sense,” as the Feds say ALL cannabis is not medicine but then pick and choose which dispensaries get to stay and which get nasty threatening letters. I am with Kamala. I think what she is trying to say is the same thing we have all been saying for well-over a decade since this selective enforcement began…What The Fuck?
I think the most interesting and informative parts of her comments are that she is working with State Senator Mark Leno to create statewide regulations, going as far as saying when they get the legislation passed there will be “no role for the Feds.” That is music to my ears. Finally the state will step up and handle their business and set clear and unambiguous regulations in place for how cannabis is to be grown, processed and dispensed. It is good to see that they are ready to figure it out and at least let people know how to be in compliance and to avoid unnecessary arrest and prosecution.
So can UFCW and ASA and whoever else is working on a statewide initiative for regulating medical cannabis quit wasting time, energy and resources on this effort and instead work with Mark Leno to ensure we get good regulations in place? Can we focus all of the resources for initiatives on Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act of 2012, so that we can make a clear and decisive law that allows adults to use cannabis, and will help to legitimize real patient use by removing abuses from the system. I think this should be the goal of any activist or organization who is honest with themselves. ASA needs to look at this not as a support for legalization, as much as a support for less abuse in the medical system to enable more healthcare workers, doctors, patients, and public officials to buy in to the medical uses of cannabis, as it will not be clouded with the “quasi-legalization” argument. Not to mention it is just good policy to not believe people should be locked up for cannabis any time ever. A medical cannabis initiative is a waste of time and money. As a community we should move towards adult use measures and quit trying to convince the world all use is medical. It clearly is not and we continue to look foolish by pushing that argument.
Below is an excerpt from the SF Chronicle on Kamala’s position:
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/11/INC81LA69H.DTL
Harris also found herself at odds with the Obama administration in a very public way when U.S. attorneys signaled in early October that they were about to crack down on medical marijuana dispensaries. The feds indicated that they were prepared to shut down clinics, seize assets and seek criminal prosecutions against what they regarded as criminal enterprises masquerading as suppliers of medicine.
Harris nodded affirmatively when asked if she was caught off guard by the sudden change of heart by an administration that once suggested it would take a hands-off approach to medical marijuana operations that were in compliance with state law.
“We didn’t receive any notice that it was coming,” she said.
Her office eventually issued a statement that questioned the federal government’s priorities with limited law-enforcement resources.
“For the feds to come in, who don’t agree with the very premise (that marijuana can be medicine), and then tell us which dispensaries can be open or not doesn’t make sense to me,” she said.
She said her office was working with key lawmakers, most notably Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, on legislation that would clear up the “confusion and ambiguities” about medical marijuana regulation. “I don’t see a role for the feds on this issue once it is addressed by the California Legislature,” she said.
Posted by Mickey Martin
So CA Attorney General Kamala Harris, who likely got elected due to the advocacy of the medical cannabis movement, has finally spoken up (although not as forcefully as I would have liked); but spoken up none-the-less. Her comments are telling, as she mentions she was not informed of the crackdown (a statement that seems to say she is not feeling the love from Obama’s folks), and that she think the crackdown “makes no sense,” as the Feds say ALL cannabis is not medicine but then pick and choose which dispensaries get to stay and which get nasty threatening letters. I am with Kamala. I think what she is trying to say is the same thing we have all been saying for well-over a decade since this selective enforcement began…What The Fuck?
I think the most interesting and informative parts of her comments are that she is working with State Senator Mark Leno to create statewide regulations, going as far as saying when they get the legislation passed there will be “no role for the Feds.” That is music to my ears. Finally the state will step up and handle their business and set clear and unambiguous regulations in place for how cannabis is to be grown, processed and dispensed. It is good to see that they are ready to figure it out and at least let people know how to be in compliance and to avoid unnecessary arrest and prosecution.
So can UFCW and ASA and whoever else is working on a statewide initiative for regulating medical cannabis quit wasting time, energy and resources on this effort and instead work with Mark Leno to ensure we get good regulations in place? Can we focus all of the resources for initiatives on Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act of 2012, so that we can make a clear and decisive law that allows adults to use cannabis, and will help to legitimize real patient use by removing abuses from the system. I think this should be the goal of any activist or organization who is honest with themselves. ASA needs to look at this not as a support for legalization, as much as a support for less abuse in the medical system to enable more healthcare workers, doctors, patients, and public officials to buy in to the medical uses of cannabis, as it will not be clouded with the “quasi-legalization” argument. Not to mention it is just good policy to not believe people should be locked up for cannabis any time ever. A medical cannabis initiative is a waste of time and money. As a community we should move towards adult use measures and quit trying to convince the world all use is medical. It clearly is not and we continue to look foolish by pushing that argument.
Below is an excerpt from the SF Chronicle on Kamala’s position:
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/11/INC81LA69H.DTL
Harris also found herself at odds with the Obama administration in a very public way when U.S. attorneys signaled in early October that they were about to crack down on medical marijuana dispensaries. The feds indicated that they were prepared to shut down clinics, seize assets and seek criminal prosecutions against what they regarded as criminal enterprises masquerading as suppliers of medicine.
Harris nodded affirmatively when asked if she was caught off guard by the sudden change of heart by an administration that once suggested it would take a hands-off approach to medical marijuana operations that were in compliance with state law.
“We didn’t receive any notice that it was coming,” she said.
Her office eventually issued a statement that questioned the federal government’s priorities with limited law-enforcement resources.
“For the feds to come in, who don’t agree with the very premise (that marijuana can be medicine), and then tell us which dispensaries can be open or not doesn’t make sense to me,” she said.
She said her office was working with key lawmakers, most notably Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, on legislation that would clear up the “confusion and ambiguities” about medical marijuana regulation. “I don’t see a role for the feds on this issue once it is addressed by the California Legislature,” she said.
Fairfax medical marijuana dispensary due to close Saturday; Kentfield dispensary will
Fairfax medical marijuana dispensary due to close Saturday; Kentfield dispensary will
....to the music of Queen...."Another 2 bite the dust"............
===================================================
The Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Fairfax was expected to close Saturday and one, perhaps two, more of Marin County's six medical marijuana dispensaries will soon be shutting down.
The Marin Alliance, the state's oldest dispensary, has posted a sign at its 6 School St. storefront office announcing that the dispensary will shut down at 9 p.m. Dec. 17.
Melinda Haag, the San Francisco-based U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, has threatened to confiscate the building the alliance is in unless its landlord, Farshid Ezazi of Orinda, evicts the collective. The Fairfax dispensary is among dozens statewide that federal prosecutors say they have targeted because of the dispensaries' proximity to parks, schools and other facilities used by children.
The Marin Wellness Center, a dispensary at 1100 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Kentfield, also will cease operations by Jan. 1, said Scot Candell, a San Rafael lawyer who represents the center and two other Marin dispensaries: the Green Tiger Collective at 7586 Redwood Blvd., Suite D, in Novato; and Marin Holistic Solutions at 200 Tamal Plaza in Corte Madera. Candell said there is no change in the status of those two dispensaries.
Candell said the Marin Wellness Center is also closing because of pressure from federal prosecutors. He said the center's landlord received a threatening letter from the federal government near the end of November.
"Under state law it's not a problem that they are across from the College of Marin," Candell said. He said that's because the state defines a school as kindergarten through 12th grade.
"However, under federal law, colleges and universities are included as schools," he said. "So under federal law they're too close to a school."
Unlike the Marin Alliance, the Marin Wellness Center has chosen not to fight to remain open.
"No, it was very friendly," Candell said. "No one wants the landlord to get in trouble." He estimates the center is providing medical marijuana to about 1,500 patients."I don't know what they're going to do for their medicine," he said.
A third dispensary, the Green Door Wellness Education Center, situated next to the Green Tiger at 7586 Redwood Blvd., Suite C, is battling an eviction proceeding brought by its landlord, David Cesena. The Green Door's operators are awaiting a Marin Superior Court judge's decision after a one-day trial on the eviction this week, said Jeff Moss, the Green Door's attorney.
Moss said the Green Door is not among the dispensaries that the federal government has targeted. But Novato City Attorney Jeffrey Walter said last month that both Novato dispensaries are prohibited under city zoning rules. Walter said the city had asked their landlords to remove them and if they don't the property owners could face civil prosecution by the city.
Robert Weems, the attorney for the Marin Alliance's landlord, said the Marin Alliance's operator, Lynnette Shaw, is continuing to contest the dispensary's eviction in court. But Weems said Shaw has told his client, Ezazi, that she will vacate the premises on Saturday.
"So we're waiting to see if that in fact happens," Weems said. Shaw could not be reached for comment.
The federal government began the process of confiscating the School Street building on Nov. 18, even though Ezazi had already initiated court action to evict the Marin Alliance. Ezazi is hoping the government will let him keep the building if he succeeds in removing the Marin Alliance.
Candell said, "The unfortunate thing about this is that when collectives close, black market marijuana sales rise. There are lots of ways that people are going to get their marijuana.
Fairfax medical marijuana dispensary due to close Saturday; Kentfield dispensary will
....to the music of Queen...."Another 2 bite the dust"............
===================================================
The Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Fairfax was expected to close Saturday and one, perhaps two, more of Marin County's six medical marijuana dispensaries will soon be shutting down.
The Marin Alliance, the state's oldest dispensary, has posted a sign at its 6 School St. storefront office announcing that the dispensary will shut down at 9 p.m. Dec. 17.
Melinda Haag, the San Francisco-based U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, has threatened to confiscate the building the alliance is in unless its landlord, Farshid Ezazi of Orinda, evicts the collective. The Fairfax dispensary is among dozens statewide that federal prosecutors say they have targeted because of the dispensaries' proximity to parks, schools and other facilities used by children.
The Marin Wellness Center, a dispensary at 1100 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Kentfield, also will cease operations by Jan. 1, said Scot Candell, a San Rafael lawyer who represents the center and two other Marin dispensaries: the Green Tiger Collective at 7586 Redwood Blvd., Suite D, in Novato; and Marin Holistic Solutions at 200 Tamal Plaza in Corte Madera. Candell said there is no change in the status of those two dispensaries.
Candell said the Marin Wellness Center is also closing because of pressure from federal prosecutors. He said the center's landlord received a threatening letter from the federal government near the end of November.
"Under state law it's not a problem that they are across from the College of Marin," Candell said. He said that's because the state defines a school as kindergarten through 12th grade.
"However, under federal law, colleges and universities are included as schools," he said. "So under federal law they're too close to a school."
Unlike the Marin Alliance, the Marin Wellness Center has chosen not to fight to remain open.
"No, it was very friendly," Candell said. "No one wants the landlord to get in trouble." He estimates the center is providing medical marijuana to about 1,500 patients."I don't know what they're going to do for their medicine," he said.
A third dispensary, the Green Door Wellness Education Center, situated next to the Green Tiger at 7586 Redwood Blvd., Suite C, is battling an eviction proceeding brought by its landlord, David Cesena. The Green Door's operators are awaiting a Marin Superior Court judge's decision after a one-day trial on the eviction this week, said Jeff Moss, the Green Door's attorney.
Moss said the Green Door is not among the dispensaries that the federal government has targeted. But Novato City Attorney Jeffrey Walter said last month that both Novato dispensaries are prohibited under city zoning rules. Walter said the city had asked their landlords to remove them and if they don't the property owners could face civil prosecution by the city.
Robert Weems, the attorney for the Marin Alliance's landlord, said the Marin Alliance's operator, Lynnette Shaw, is continuing to contest the dispensary's eviction in court. But Weems said Shaw has told his client, Ezazi, that she will vacate the premises on Saturday.
"So we're waiting to see if that in fact happens," Weems said. Shaw could not be reached for comment.
The federal government began the process of confiscating the School Street building on Nov. 18, even though Ezazi had already initiated court action to evict the Marin Alliance. Ezazi is hoping the government will let him keep the building if he succeeds in removing the Marin Alliance.
Candell said, "The unfortunate thing about this is that when collectives close, black market marijuana sales rise. There are lots of ways that people are going to get their marijuana.
braincancer
Member
wow...two months in the hospital and all the places i used to get my meds at are now closed. and the few left ive been once but the meds were so bad and i told myself ....never go back. What is everyone else doing?
someone posted earlier in the this thread that 1 LoveWellness in Sac would stay open. Interesting the owner went from RV dealer to MMJ Disp owner.
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/30/4152177/facing-federal-scrutiny-sacramento.html
Three months after federal authorities seized its bank account in a probe of alleged concealment of medical marijuana proceeds, a Sacramento dispensary announced Thursday it will close its doors on New Year's Eve.The One Love Wellness Center, a 7,000-square-foot dispensary on El Camino Avenue near the Capital City Freeway, was one of 38 dispensaries allowed to apply to stay in business under a local medical marijuana ordinance passed by the City Council.But the dispensary attracted the attention of federal authorities in September. A U.S. Treasury Department criminal task force alleged that the dispensary structured $102,713 in deposits in small amounts to skirt rules requiring financial establishments to report all deposits of $10,000 or more to the Internal Revenue Service. No charges have been filed since U.S. Magistrate Gregory G. Hollows approved a warrant to seize more than $80,000 from the dispensary's account. But the dispensary has faced additional pressure as Sacramento U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner sent out a notice threatening One Love's landlord with seizure of its property if marijuana sales continued on site. "They have asked me to close down and … I think I have to," said Lino Catabran, the dispensary's founder. "The threat is huge."Catabran opened the dispensary after his former business at the same site – RV Brokers Inc. – closed due to the recession. His RV business once had three Sacramento sales outlets and 40 employees with $15 million in annual sales. But in an interview after switching to a dispensary, Catabran said he was happy with his transition to the medical marijuana industry. "There is no service department. There is no warranty department. And there are very few unhappy customers," he said. One Love Wellness said in a news release Thursday that more than 20 employees will lose their jobs. The establishment said it has paid $227,611 in state sales taxes through November, as well as $49,470 to the city of Sacramento under a local 4 percent gross receipts tax on medical marijuana that went into effect in July.The city suspended permit applications for marijuana stores in the wake of federal actions targeting the marijuana industry in California, but it has allowed some existing dispensaries to stay in business. About two dozen of them remain open with the city limits. Enforcement actions in Sacramento County, where supervisors asserted that marijuana stores weren't permitted in unincorporated communities, forced the closure of nearly 100 dispensaries.
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/30/4152177/facing-federal-scrutiny-sacramento.html
Three months after federal authorities seized its bank account in a probe of alleged concealment of medical marijuana proceeds, a Sacramento dispensary announced Thursday it will close its doors on New Year's Eve.The One Love Wellness Center, a 7,000-square-foot dispensary on El Camino Avenue near the Capital City Freeway, was one of 38 dispensaries allowed to apply to stay in business under a local medical marijuana ordinance passed by the City Council.But the dispensary attracted the attention of federal authorities in September. A U.S. Treasury Department criminal task force alleged that the dispensary structured $102,713 in deposits in small amounts to skirt rules requiring financial establishments to report all deposits of $10,000 or more to the Internal Revenue Service. No charges have been filed since U.S. Magistrate Gregory G. Hollows approved a warrant to seize more than $80,000 from the dispensary's account. But the dispensary has faced additional pressure as Sacramento U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner sent out a notice threatening One Love's landlord with seizure of its property if marijuana sales continued on site. "They have asked me to close down and … I think I have to," said Lino Catabran, the dispensary's founder. "The threat is huge."Catabran opened the dispensary after his former business at the same site – RV Brokers Inc. – closed due to the recession. His RV business once had three Sacramento sales outlets and 40 employees with $15 million in annual sales. But in an interview after switching to a dispensary, Catabran said he was happy with his transition to the medical marijuana industry. "There is no service department. There is no warranty department. And there are very few unhappy customers," he said. One Love Wellness said in a news release Thursday that more than 20 employees will lose their jobs. The establishment said it has paid $227,611 in state sales taxes through November, as well as $49,470 to the city of Sacramento under a local 4 percent gross receipts tax on medical marijuana that went into effect in July.The city suspended permit applications for marijuana stores in the wake of federal actions targeting the marijuana industry in California, but it has allowed some existing dispensaries to stay in business. About two dozen of them remain open with the city limits. Enforcement actions in Sacramento County, where supervisors asserted that marijuana stores weren't permitted in unincorporated communities, forced the closure of nearly 100 dispensaries.
This just illistrates the stupi nature of these "laws". Exactly one block away is el camino wellnss center. They are staying open. Go figure.
FreedomFightr
Member
Friutridge reopend under another name called The Vintage from what I was told.
I guess vendors are just going to hook up with delivery services then? Or are they only going to vend to the remaining dispensary's??
Should all vendors not risk donating meds because of this recent crackdown or is it just business as usual??
Thanks
Should all vendors not risk donating meds because of this recent crackdown or is it just business as usual??
Thanks
haha if you are lucky. most of the times you leave the elbo at the club and they tell you to come back in two weeks...you come back in two weeks and they tell you "sorry only have 1800 so far, come back for the rest in a week"...if you are lucky you see your money within a month. mostly it is cash but some spots like harborside i dont know, they keep "VENDER RECORDS" btw....thats a pretty nice paper trail. only connected people or those with really really superior product get cashed out on the spot...
Grendelkhan
Member
Well I just got back from a walk about of Sacramento clubs. There are about 19 clubs left in the city. Of those I think that about 2/3 of them are crap. The whole fed thing is doing what I thought it would, which is clear out the riffraff. Most of the clubs are just like what 215 said. Consignment paid usually in 30 days. There is some paper work but usually just a bill of sale. No full names or shit like that. You can get decent prices if you have excellent work. That being said I have heard horror stories of clubs shutting doors and leaving the vendor swinging in the wind. Be aware of the clubs that your dealing with and being willing only to deal with what your willing to lose. Anyone planning on getting into the game is going to have a long hard road ahead of them.
