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Dispensary owners fear pot-busting agents
05-11-07|The Bakersfield Californian|BY JASON KOTOWSKI

The raid on a medical marijuana dispensary in Oildale earlier this month has other dispensary owners afraid their business could be next.

Federal agents say they're right to be nervous.

Area dispensary owners said some people abuse the services provided by dispensaries, but by and large the stores are performing a community service.

"It's hard not to be heartbroken when you see the people we're helping," said Jim McGowen, owner of American Caregivers Collective.

Many of his customers are in wheelchairs and unable to eat much or get through the day without marijuana, McGowen said. He questioned why the federal government would bother dispensaries that are properly licensed and following California law.

"It's like Gestapo practices," McGowen said of last week's raid. "To take your stuff and clean out your bank accounts and not arrest you. Is that America?"

But Stephen Peterson, resident agent in charge of the DEA in Bakersfield, said it's possible David Chavez Sr., the owner of Nature's Medicinal Cooperative, could be arrested on suspicion of federal pot possession and distribution crimes sometime in the future.

Chavez was not arrested during the raid and is operating his dispensary again.

McGowen also said marijuana is no more abused than alcohol, but he doesn't see liquor stores being raided.

Nathan Wright, owner of Bakersfield Co-op, said he feels federal agents should leave dispensaries alone as long as they're regulated and paying taxes. He said he believes that years from now, visiting medical marijuana dispensaries won't be any different than visiting a local pharmacy and buying whatever medicine is needed.

The possession, cultivation or distribution of marijuana for any purpose is illegal under federal law, except for approved scientific research, said Gordon Taylor, assistant special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Taylor, who works out of the DEA's district office in Sacramento, oversees operations in 34 counties from the Central Valley to the Oregon border.

A raid on a Modesto dispensary last year resulted in the arrests of two 26-year-old men, including the store's chief financial officer, who could face penalties ranging from 20 years to life in prison, Taylor said. About 400 people were buying marijuana from that dispensary each day, and gross sales amounted to $3.4 million in a six-month period, he said.

"From what we've seen of pot clubs in the Central Valley and Northern California, they're used by young people, most of whom are able-bodied and in some cases even athletically fit," Taylor said.

Scott Gerber, director of communications for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said the senator does not believe there is support for changing federal law at this time.

Public reaction to the raid was mixed.

Jeremy Salinas, 21, said anyone with a doctor's recommendation should be able to buy medical marijuana as long as it's legal under state law. Cliff Ellis, of Tehachapi, said he hasn't been convinced that the drug has medicinal value.

More people would be against dispensaries if they saw how they affect a community, Taylor said. For example, more teenagers enter drug treatment programs to deal with marijuana abuse than all other drugs combined, he said.

California laws have created a permissive attitude when it comes to marijuana use, but in the end communities suffer, he said.

"I think if the general public could really see what's going on behind those doors, they would be shocked," Taylor said.

 

Buzzby

The majority of her constituents are in favor of medical marijuana. She should be introducing legislation to change federal law "at this time".

This is self-serving bullshit. Kids get arrested for possession and are either sent to "drug treatment" or given the choice between "drug treatment" or a criminal record. Kids are in treatment because of prohibition, not because of any effect of marijuana.

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beestersuck

Those who believe Marijuana itself is harmful to any group of youth or community should be locked away. The laws prohibiting marijuana and the madness* that ensues are the direct causes of any negative impact it has on society. Complete legalization along with taxation would in fact improve our economy and social environment in every sphere of life.

Word up Buzzby

Buzzby

I guess I should be locked away, then.

I don't think children should be smoking marijuana, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or using any other kind of mind-altering substance. Adults can make a rational choice to use or not use drugs. Children are often pushed into it by peer pressure. You need to learn how to deal with mundane reality before venturing into other mental states.

beestersuck

I agree that children are often pressured into using drugs and alcohol however I would like argue that many adults are persuaded as well. A well informed child with adequate insight can make choices that are just as rational. By which age someone is an "adult" varies from country to country, its merely a mindset in my opinion.

 

sterbo

I'm with beestersuck on this one, but Hey -
There was one hell of a debate on this very topic a couple of months ago. I think (well at least I still hope) that Buzzby and I agreed to disagree...

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sterbo

I couldn't agree more.
But, Dianne Feinstein is really not all that progressive. She's locked up in the mainstream. A politician's
politician.

Right on mate, Bulls-eye ...
.

godfather

Oh yes, SHOCKED!!!11!!1! SHOCKED that plants grow!! Who knew marijuana was a plant?! I sure didn't. I thought it was the residual goo left over from decomposing animals caught in a nuclear waste site...who'd a thunk it!

I sort-of agree with this; I do think what age someone "becomes" an adult is subjective. I also believe that you should learn how to deal with reality before you use any sort of mind altering substance. That is, perhaps, one factor of addiction.

I myself, have never had a problem with abusing drugs. I always had the attitude that drugs are to be respected and used responsibly in moderation. Other people I know/have met have the opposite point of veiw; drugs are something to go crazy with, and get as messed up as possible. I think that attitude is somewhat left over from when they were younger and they were told that that is how drugs should be used, that is what is cool. And I do think, in many cases, teens in highschool are made to believe that doing the most drugs, and drinking the most, or both are seen as things to be proud of.