DEA Eyes Oakland Mega-Grows

[Tony Aroma]

See? What'd I tell you? There is no doubt in my mind that if these large-scale grows become reality, that the DEA will raid them. I only hope that local LEO will stand up to the feds and enforce the laws they are sworn to uphold. I really want to see a standoff between local LEO and the feds. Just once.

OAKLAND'S PLANS FOR MEGA-MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWING GETS ATTENTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

OAKLAND -- The nation's top narcotics watchdog, the Drug Enforcement Administration, has requested information about Oakland's ordinance permitting large-scale medical pot growing facilities.

DEA spokesman Rusty Payne said agents wanted to know if the ordinance on the city website was a draft or a final version.

He would not specify why the agency wanted the information, but the inquiry raised speculation that the new plans have put Oakland in the agency's cross hairs.

Payne downplayed the speculation but said, "Anytime there is large-scale marijuana cultivation, it is something that would interest us."

Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan said the DEA has sought information but offered no feedback. She co-sponsored the ordinance with Councilmember Larry Reid.

Agents requested copies of the ordinance from Kaplan's office.

They then called for details and a timeline for the plan from Oakland administrator Arturo Sanchez, who will oversee the permitting process once the application process begins after September.

Kaplan said the DEA told her that the agency is collecting information from other cities that allow medical marijuana in an attempt to review the patchwork of laws in the absence of federal guidelines.

Marijuana is illegal under federal law.

But a 2009 memo by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder signaled that going after medical marijuana users and growers is a low priority as long as the local industry conforms to state medical cannabis measures.

There is some question about whether Oakland's industrial-level cultivation violates California law and what it will mean for the city if California voters approve a statewide measure to make marijuana legal in all its uses.

Payne said the DEA is investigating Colorado dispensaries that are in violation of the state's medical marijuana laws and have tried to use them as a shield for illegal operations.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_15669930?IADID=Search-www.insidebayarea.com-www.insidebayarea.com

 

[Grendelkhan]

Yeah doesn't surprise me at all. They will come after these guys as an example to all others thinking about this. This is just the start as they are going to crack a lot of heads if 19 gets passed and this is just the warm up. Plus they just over turned prop 8, so they will over turn 19 if it passes.

 

[Grendelkhan]

I tell you what I wouldn't want to be working for one of those big ass grows when they come a knockin either. I have no desire to be a martyr.

 

[pearlemae]

Things aren't going to be pretty in Oakland, I never thought the Feds would allow large scale op's. It's like say ing we made it legal here so what are you going to do. It will end up in the courts, with the conservative court it could go either way, states rights vrs the evil weeds damage to society. Cali wants the tax money, and there are more state's looking at MJ as a tax source, why not all the states are broke or hurting for cash. So it will be an interesting next year.

 

[guest396]

there's a revolution calling yeah! there's a revolution, there's a revolution, there's a revolution! BANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

when will we see the type of freedom we pay for them to have dosen't equal the freedom we get.... nor is it meant to govern us into fear.

there is still a twisted logic to this as the average (FREE)JOESCHMOE cannot run these or anywhere near these numbers, without the fear of both a state and federal ass fawking...

there's a revolution, but it sure ain't gonna end on paper and they've already got troops deployed in america against posse act, they OPENLY have since 2008.

as long as your fast food and cable hold out you'll be fine.

at pepperidge farms we remember.... i think i hear a storm a brewin'

 

[highwayman1]

there is a town in nevada awhile back where the sherrif told the atf to leave his jurastriction and when they laugh at him he arressed them.....and had them taken into custody and after all was said they havenot been back...............

 

[bicyclebenny]

The DEA is doing everything possible to seem relevant.

 

[tokinafaty420]

DEA should be cut to help with the federal budget. Imagine how much money we could save as a nation if we just put an end to this needless war. Send some of the resources to customs to intercept the drugs coming in from war torn regions of the world. Those drugs are destroying lives, but only b/c the funds pay for weapons.

 

[bluekush]

well ya the dea likes to go after pot growers because for the most part they are peaceful so they can just push them around and feel big and tough instead of going after coke dealers and if they are gonna ignore oaklands wishes then why would they not ignore prop 19 since it seems they do what they want.

 

[Tony Aroma]

there is a town in nevada awhile back where the sherrif told the atf to leave his jurastriction and when they laugh at him he arressed them.....and had them taken into custody and after all was said they havenot been back...............

That's what the locals need to do in CA. So far, none have had the balls. Of course, let's not forget about those local cops/prosecutors that actually call in the DEA to do what they cannot do (legally). But if any of them had any integrity, and really did their job enforcing the laws and protecting the citizens of their state, they'd defend their people against the lawbreaking thugs of the DEA.