Federal Prosecutors Target Medical Pot Dispensaries
On Thursday, federal prosecutors in California sent letters to the landlords and owners of more than a dozen medical marijuana dispensaries statewide warning them that they have 45 days to close their stores or they will face criminal charges and seizure of their property. The letters noted that even though medical marijuana is legal under a 1996 state law, the dispensaries are in violation of federal drug laws. At a news conference on Friday, the state's four U.S. attorneys are expected to release more details about their crackdown on marijuana dispensaries. In June, the Department of Justice issued a policy memo to federal prosecutors stating that dispensaries and licensed growers in states with medical marijuana laws, such as California, could face prosecution for violating federal law.
- "Feds Target California Pot Dispensaries" (Leff, AP/Orange County Register, 10/6).
- "Feds Seek Closure of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries" (Moran/Cadelago, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/6).