Feds Haven't Targeted Long Beach Pot Providers

Ernst

Ernst

Well-Known Member
Feds haven't targeted Long Beach pot providers


In this time of CrackDown are the Federal efforts selective?

Here is an area unaffected. That is good but why?
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_19226159

LONG BEACH - Friday was deadline day for a number of Southland marijuana dispensaries served with cease-and- desist letters from the United States Attorney's Office earlier this month.
In Long Beach, however, it's not the feds that local medicinal marijuana cooperatives need to worry about, it's local authorities that could prove problematic, many warned.
In the first week of October, federal authorities cited marijuana dispensaries across California based on what authorities called blatant violations of drug trafficking laws for selling their product to other states and for operating profit-based drug dealing operations.
"It is important to note that for-profit, commercial marijuana operations are illegal not only under federal law, but also under California law," U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr. said Oct. 7.
"While California law permits collective cultivation of marijuana in limited circumstances, it does not allow commercial distribution through the store-front model we see across California."
Action taken by federal authorities in Los Angeles and Orange County included:
A criminal indictment charging six people with marijuana trafficking that allegedly generated nearly $15 million in profits in only eight months;
The filing of civil forfeiture lawsuits against three properties and a related seizure of more than $135,000 from the bank account of one property owner; and Warning letters sent to the operators and landlords of 38 marijuana stores. No Long Beach collectives were included in the federal actions, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Long Beach Lawyer Richard Brizendine represents a number of local marijuana collectives and is one of two attorneys appointed as the official counsel for the newly formed Long Beach Collective Association.
"I've told my clients ... that if they stick to state guidelines, it doesn't appear they will have a problem with federal (authorities)," Brizendine said.
The far bigger issue for Long Beach collectives, he and many others said, is the pending reversal of the city's marijuana collective permitting process triggered by a recent state appeals court ruling. The court invalidated Long Beach's position by affirming all marijuana collectives are engaging in acts illegal under U.S. law and therefore the city can't regulate them.
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Ernst

Ernst

Well-Known Member
Here is an update on Long Beach.

Medical marijuana supporters protest possible ban

By Eric Bradley, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/01/2011 09:18:46 PM PDT
Updated: 11/02/2011 03:45:09 PM PDT

About 60 people gathered in the plaza at Long Beach City Hall to rally for legal medical marijuana. After the brief rally, they went into City Hall to urge the City Council not to ban the drug and bow to federal pressure. (Scott Varley / Staff Photographer)



PHOTO GALLERY
LONG BEACH — Medical marijuana backers packed the City Council chamber on Tuesday to urge council members not to ban cannabis collectives.
Long Beach's 2010 permit ordinance was invalidated last month by a 2nd District Court of Appeal ruling that found the law contradicts U.S. code forbidding use of marijuana. U.S. attorneys have since announced a crackdown on dispensaries across California, which has allowed the drug as medicine since 1996.
Shortly after, the council signaled its intent to repeal the city's permit process, prohibit marijuana businesses and appeal to the State Supreme Court for clarification regarding the city's power to control medical marijuana sales.
Seven pro-medical marijuana speakers addressed the council during the public comment period. Among other points, they touted the health benefits of marijuana use, the jobs created by cannabis commerce and said the drug's prohibition is part of a "corrupt" system.
Carl Kemp, a spokesman for the newly-formed Long Beach Collective Association, requested that council members not bow to federal pressure and instead alter its permit law rather than banning collectives outright.
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Ernst

Ernst

Well-Known Member
Do you know what has happened?
A ruling in a recent Southern California lawsuit seems to have found it's unlawful to permit something that's illegal under federal law
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That means that all dispensaries and or clubs in California have to close.

Like I have said until the People of the State of California have the right to use, grow and trade in non-commercial ways we have nothing.
Medical is but a sub-set of the whole we need on our side. We are concerned with only 1/2 or less the people we need on our side.

It is an important thing to as as well and that is Will people come out of the Cannabis Closet all over the State so we will have a voice?
Obviously the idea that Commerce will lead us to freedom is a failed concept.
 
ford442

ford442

Well-Known Member
this weekend was the deadline for many of the federal closure letters.. i guess we will hear something more soon..
 
blimey

blimey

Active Member
So, do they think all those customers that made those people $15 million in 8 months are going to stop smoking weed? Or will they more likely buy it illegally through somebody that has less overhead and no regulations resulting in more profits?
 
ford442

ford442

Well-Known Member
i am afraid that is part of the feds' plan - it will expose every grower and distributor directly to arrestable black market activity.. :(
 
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