Eric Holder Lies! Dispensary Raid Today

nornerator · 03-26-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

DEA raids pot dispensary in SF

Rachel Gordon, Chronicle Staff Writer

(03-25) 22:05 PDT San Francisco -- Federal agents raided a medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco Wednesday, a week after U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder signaled that the Obama administration would not prosecute distributors of pot used for medicinal purposes that operate under sanction of state law.
Images
View Larger Image
More Bay Area News

* Berkeley to draw bees with plantings in parks 03.26.09
* Oakland: Escalators may soon help BART station 03.26.09
* Wrapped for cold day in the sun 03.26.09
* John Kanaley, Laguna Honda Hospital CEO, dies 03.26.09

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided Emmalyn's California Cannabis Clinic at 1597 Howard St. in San Francisco's South of Market district mid-afternoon.

They hauled out large plastic bins overflowing with marijuana plants and loaded several pickup trucks parked out front with grow lights and related equipment used to farm the plants indoors.

The dispensary had been operating with a temporary permit issued by the Department of Public Health.

"Based on our investigation, we believe there are not only violations of federal law, but state law as well," DEA Special Agent in Charge Anthony Williams said in a prepared statement.

Williams, who runs the San Francisco field office that covers a territory stretching from Bakersfield to Redding, would not specify the alleged violations. The information was under court seal.

"As of now, we are prohibited from releasing further details of the case. Items of evidentiary value were seized and no arrests have been made," Williams said.

A source in San Francisco city government who was informed about the raid said the DEA's action appeared to be prompted by alleged financial improprieties related to the payment of sales taxes. DEA Special Agent Casey McEnry, spokeswoman for the local office, would not comment on that information.

Representatives from Emmalyn's could not be reached for comment. It was not clear whether they were on the premises when authorities arrived.

Word of the raid spread quickly in the medical marijuana advocacy community via text-message. About a dozen people, many with cameras in hand, gathered in front of Emmalyn's as federal agents guarded the front entrance. The scent of marijuana wafted through the crowd and several bystanders shouted epithets at the agents as they walked by.

Emmalyn's provides marijuana for free to poor people on Wednesdays.

"It's awful that raids like this are still happening. Public opinion favors medicinal marijuana," said Troy Dayton, senior development officer for the Marijuana Policy Project, a national organization that advocates for the decriminalization of marijuana, particularly for medicinal purposes.

Thirteen years ago, California became the first of more than a dozen states to legalize medical marijuana, although federal law still prohibits its use.

In a marked shift from Bush administration policy, Holder said last month that dispensaries only would be prosecuted if both state and federal drug laws were thought to be violated.

E-mail Rachel Gordon at rgordon@sfchronicle.com.

Its time to get serious. Write your politicians telling them how angry you are that this is happening after Eric Holder promised an end to the dispensary raids!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dispensary Raid/Shutdown... do I have anything to worry about?	shibshib	Medicinal Marijuana	2	04-03-2008 04:57 AM
CA: Activists oppose raid of dispensary	newgrowerNY	The Drug War Headline News	0	05-07-2007 10:20 AM
CA: Local marijuana dispensary back open after FBI raid	Plainsman1963	The Drug War Headline News	4	10-08-2006 02:37 PM
CA: Agents Raid Medical Marijuana Dispensary	Lothar121	The Drug War Headline News	2	10-05-2006 11:06 AM
Raid at Eddy Lepp's Right Now!!! (from The E-Dispensary)	myke113	Legal Issues	0	08-19-2004 04:52 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Advertising Register to Participate View Forum Leaders Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read

Hot Products:

Orange Krush - Legal Bud

Black Magic Solid Smokes

Vapir One Vaporizer

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)