Agents Raid 13 Marijuana Dispensaries in San Diego Area
Federal agents on Monday conducted raids on 13 marijuana dispensaries in San Diego and San Marcos, the Los Angeles Times reports (Los Angeles Times, 12/13). A task force from the San Diego office of the Drug Enforcement Administration seized about 50 pounds of marijuana, as well as patient records, equipment, computers and other materials, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/13).
Authorities said the raids were conducted because the dispensaries were selling marijuana to people who were not using it for medical purposes (AP/San Luis Obispo Tribune, 12/12). California voters in 1996 approved Proposition 215, which legalized marijuana use for some conditions if recommended by a physician.
Jack Hook, DEA's acting special agent in charge of the raid, said law enforcement officers obtained warrants for the dispensaries after undercover agents purchased marijuana without the paperwork required by state law.
Investigators said they will analyze patient records that were confiscated but said that medical marijuana users are not targeted by the ongoing investigation (San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/13).