DEA Agents Raid San Francisco Medical Marijuana Clinic

[Ms. RedEye]

San Francisco - Federal drug agents raided a medical marijuana facility in San Francisco Wednesday night.

The raid occurred at Emmalyn's California Cannabis Clinic at 1597 Howard Street. DEA spokeswoman Casey McEnry told CBS 5 the documents regarding the raid are sealed, so the DEA was not able to give many details.

"The documents relating to today's enforcement operation remain under court seal. Based on our investigation we believe there are not only violations of federal law, but state law as well. 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. The investigation is currently ongoing," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams in a written statement.

Emmalyn's California Cannabis Clinic had a provisional permit, according to Chris Hermes, spokesperson for Americans for Safe Access, a national advocacy group for medical marijuana issues.

Hermes said at least two people were taken into custody at the facility.

"We're shocked that after the Attorney General has made repeated statements that raids on California medical cannibis dispensaries would be suspended that we are seeing a continuation of that policy," said Hermes.

"We call on the Attorney General to explain these actions by the DEA," he added.


News Hawk: MsRedEye: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: CBS5.com
Author: Joe Vazquez
Copyright: 2009 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.
Contact: Contact Us - cbs5.com
Website: Drug Agents Raid SF Medical Marijuana Clinic - cbs5.com

 

[420]

while these guys may or may not be innocent, there are still co-ops operating outside of the guidelines...
this is bound to happen before regulation steps into play...

 

[Keith Lake]

There was already talk of partially defunding the DEA in the area of MMJ activities. This should kick start that conversation since instructions for the Executive Branch don't seem to be sufficient to stop their behavior.

Call the white house and your congresspeople today, it's what I'll be doing.

Whether innocent or guilty the more the public cares and comments - the more the politicos will.

 

[OneCrankyDem]

The place busted is one that's been around a couple yrs now. They were known for taking care of those without the funds to buy their meds. They were one of the real co-op type ops meaning they followed most if not all of Ca. Law. The rumor going around is they were busted for something to do with the State Sales Tax. If the US Atty is going to use delinquent sales tax payments as a excuse then no one is going to be safe from a bust. They will use any excuse. You can bet your last buck that among themselves they are high 5ing and saying that if using the Tax law was good enough to bring down Al Capone, then it's good enough for Medical Marijuana Dispensarys.
If you want this to stop it will take a few simple actions from everyone. We must flood the White House Switchboard, both the House of Representatives and Senate switchboard, as well as the Dept of Justice switchboards in DC, SF, and LA. Don't just think about doing it, do it. Call or email everyone you know and have them call, email or snail mail their Congress People and Atty Gen Erci Holder, and Pres. Obama.

 

[ForbiddenAct]

Does California pay sales taxes on all drugs?

If your going to run a medical clinic, you have to have your ducks in a row. It will be interesting to hear how much they owe in back taxes.

Actually this is good news if it is only a tax issue.

Any updates, or is this still sealed.

 

[Keith Lake]

ForbiddenAct makes the key point!

If only a new public company would form and devise a way for taxes to be paid and compliance to be assured. Medical Marijuana Inc.



In an unrelated point. Since when do the Feds enforce state tax law? They don't do this for any other businesses. You just don't see jack boot thugs with assault rifles, masks, and battering rams knocking down the door to the local pharmacy for failing to pay taxes.

Also, the State Board of Equalization subsequently said there were no tax problems with the clinic.

My opinion is that taxes were the pretext for the raid. Assemblymember Tom Ammiano thinks this was a message from the DEA and payback for introducing his legalization bill. I think we'd all have to admit it's a little coincidental that the clinic was in his district.