Vallejo police return weed to two pot shops raided last year
By Tony Burchyns/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 04/26/2013 01:04:20 AM PDT
These packaged marijuana products were returned this week to a Vallejo marijuana dispensary from the Vallejo Police Department. The items were confiscated last year duriing one of several raids on local dispensaries. The items were returned after the criminal case was dismissed. (Courtesy photo)
As Solano County law enforcement brainstorms new ways to investigate marijuana dispensaries, Vallejo police this week returned nearly 60 pounds of weed and hundreds of dead plants to two dispensaries raided last year.
The property was returned Wednesday to Better Health Group and L.E.S. collective members after a judge tossed out one of cases and prosecutors dismissed the other. Retired Solano County Superior Court Judge Allan Carter granted the order for the return of the property on April 12.
San Rafael attorney Scot Candell, who represented both collectives, said he was glad to see the cases winding down.
"The court found the patients were complying with California's medical marijuana laws and the property was being lawfully possessed under state law," Candell said. "The only thing left to determine is whether the medicine has been rendered useless due to the yearlong storage in police evidence lockers, and if so, how the patients will be compensated for that loss."
Candell estimated the original value of the returned property to be more than $200,000. He said the collectives would seek damages from the city for any losses.
Asked if the city could be liable for any assessed losses, City Attorney Claudia Quintana declined to comment on what she said could become pending litigation.
Items returned to Better Health Group included 44 pounds of pot, 346 marijuana food products, 531 dead plants, 44 marijuana-infused drinks and 14 computers.
An
ADVERTISEMENT
additional 14 pounds of marijuana were returned to L.E.S.
In December, a Solano County judge disagreed with prosecutors that Better Health Group was operating outside of the state's medical marijuana laws. That ruling followed a former Vacaville dispensary operator's acquittal last April.
Since January, the Solano County District Attorney's Office has dismissed charges in four other Vallejo dispensary cases. Also, charges against a former Fairfield dispensary operator have been dropped.
Prosecutors, however, say they are regrouping.
On Thursday, Solano County District Attorney Don du Bain announced that his office last week held a one-day conference with federal, state and county law enforcement agencies. The conference, du Bain said, was designed to bring together all local law enforcement agencies in Solano County that are charged with enforcing state laws regulating the distribution of marijuana.
"Recent decisions by California appellate courts have varied in their interpretations of the medical marijuana laws, causing questions among law enforcement agencies on how to responsibly enforce these laws while protecting public safety," du Bain said. "(Friday's) conference focussed on those enforcement efforts that have been most effective in protecting our communities from illegal marijuana dispensaries that operate outside the bounds of state and local laws that are intended to regulate them."
Vallejo police say they will continue to investigate marijuana shops they feel are simply using the Compassionate Use Act and Medical Marijuana Program Act as a front for criminal activities.
Vallejo Police Chief Joseph Kreins, who was hired after the most recent investigations had started, added, "As law enforcement agencies, our goal is to protect our community from those individuals who blatantly operate criminal enterprises. Recognizing that the issues surrounding dispensaries are complex and constantly in a state of analysis and review, we are appreciative that the district attorney has taken a leadership role in bringing local, state and federal agencies together to brainstorm potential solutions to this ever-changing situation."
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_23112288/vallejo-police-return-weed-two-pot-shops-raided
Still lame!
By Tony Burchyns/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 04/26/2013 01:04:20 AM PDT
These packaged marijuana products were returned this week to a Vallejo marijuana dispensary from the Vallejo Police Department. The items were confiscated last year duriing one of several raids on local dispensaries. The items were returned after the criminal case was dismissed. (Courtesy photo)
As Solano County law enforcement brainstorms new ways to investigate marijuana dispensaries, Vallejo police this week returned nearly 60 pounds of weed and hundreds of dead plants to two dispensaries raided last year.
The property was returned Wednesday to Better Health Group and L.E.S. collective members after a judge tossed out one of cases and prosecutors dismissed the other. Retired Solano County Superior Court Judge Allan Carter granted the order for the return of the property on April 12.
San Rafael attorney Scot Candell, who represented both collectives, said he was glad to see the cases winding down.
"The court found the patients were complying with California's medical marijuana laws and the property was being lawfully possessed under state law," Candell said. "The only thing left to determine is whether the medicine has been rendered useless due to the yearlong storage in police evidence lockers, and if so, how the patients will be compensated for that loss."
Candell estimated the original value of the returned property to be more than $200,000. He said the collectives would seek damages from the city for any losses.
Asked if the city could be liable for any assessed losses, City Attorney Claudia Quintana declined to comment on what she said could become pending litigation.
Items returned to Better Health Group included 44 pounds of pot, 346 marijuana food products, 531 dead plants, 44 marijuana-infused drinks and 14 computers.
An
ADVERTISEMENT
additional 14 pounds of marijuana were returned to L.E.S.
In December, a Solano County judge disagreed with prosecutors that Better Health Group was operating outside of the state's medical marijuana laws. That ruling followed a former Vacaville dispensary operator's acquittal last April.
Since January, the Solano County District Attorney's Office has dismissed charges in four other Vallejo dispensary cases. Also, charges against a former Fairfield dispensary operator have been dropped.
Prosecutors, however, say they are regrouping.
On Thursday, Solano County District Attorney Don du Bain announced that his office last week held a one-day conference with federal, state and county law enforcement agencies. The conference, du Bain said, was designed to bring together all local law enforcement agencies in Solano County that are charged with enforcing state laws regulating the distribution of marijuana.
"Recent decisions by California appellate courts have varied in their interpretations of the medical marijuana laws, causing questions among law enforcement agencies on how to responsibly enforce these laws while protecting public safety," du Bain said. "(Friday's) conference focussed on those enforcement efforts that have been most effective in protecting our communities from illegal marijuana dispensaries that operate outside the bounds of state and local laws that are intended to regulate them."
Vallejo police say they will continue to investigate marijuana shops they feel are simply using the Compassionate Use Act and Medical Marijuana Program Act as a front for criminal activities.
Vallejo Police Chief Joseph Kreins, who was hired after the most recent investigations had started, added, "As law enforcement agencies, our goal is to protect our community from those individuals who blatantly operate criminal enterprises. Recognizing that the issues surrounding dispensaries are complex and constantly in a state of analysis and review, we are appreciative that the district attorney has taken a leadership role in bringing local, state and federal agencies together to brainstorm potential solutions to this ever-changing situation."
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_23112288/vallejo-police-return-weed-two-pot-shops-raided
Still lame!
Last edited:
