Law Enforcement Raids Marjuana Dispensaries

[Jim Finnel]

SAN DIEGO — Law enforcement officers raided an undisclosed number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the San Diego region today.

Personnel from federal, state and local agencies served warrants at cannabis-dispensing storefronts in various locales in the county, according to Monica Munoz, a spokeswoman for the San Diego Police Department.

Authorities refused to release details -- including the reason for the raids and the number of related arrests, if any -- about the multi-agency operation, which apparently began around midday and targeted dispensaries in several San Diego beach communities, among other areas.

Amy Roderick, an information officer for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, referred questions to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Paul Levikow, a spokesman for the latter agency, declined to comment, saying his office would release details during a news conference Thursday.

The operation was ongoing in the mid-afternoon, Munoz said.

On Tuesday, the San Diego City Council agreed to form a task force that will seek to clarify local regulations governing the use of medical marijuana.

Among the panel's duties will be reviewing guidelines for the operation of cannabis dispensaries and evaluating issues involving police enforcement of the shops.

There are eight permitted medical-marijuana storefronts in San Diego and dozens of others operation illegally, according to city officials.

In 1996, the passage of Proposition 215 legalized physician-supervised use of marijuana to treat certain types of illnesses, including chronic diseases.


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[Jim Finnel]

From Drug Policy Alliance:

SWAT-Style Raids on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in San Diego Come Day After City Council Acts to Regulate Dispensaries

Patients Condemn Tactics, Express Concern for Safe Access

SAN DIEGO - Several medical marijuana dispensaries were raided in San Diego today, after the City Council yesterday voted 6-1 to establish a taskforce to create dispensary regulations by early next year. Medical marijuana patients and advocates criticized the raids' timing and tactics.

"These raids are unnecessary and unacceptable. Yesterday the City Council agreed to create local regulations for dispensaries. We could have those rules as early as January. So, why is law enforcement using SWAT-style tactics to try to strong arm dispensaries into closing today? Who's running this place?" asked Dion Markgraaf, San Diego Coordinator of Americans for Safe Access. "District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is behind this, and the only thing she's interested in is shutting down as many dispensaries as she can before her next campaign cycle."

The San Diego City Council voted 6-1 last night to establish a task force to create regulations governing the supply of medical marijuana in San Diego. The 11-member committee will be comprised of medical marijuana patients, social service providers and dispensary operators, as well as a legal professional, a physician, a community planner, a small business owner, a member of law enforcement and a land use professional.

According to San Diego's Channel 10, "The panel. was directed to make preliminary recommendations by the start of the year. The panel will be tasked with reviewing guidelines for medical marijuana patients and caregivers, the operation of dispensaries and growing cooperatives and the ground rules for police enforcement."

"Local law enforcement says dispensaries are breaking the rules. But the truth is that San Diego has avoided establishing rules. Now that a taskforce is finally in the works, San Diego will have rules as early as next year," said Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, deputy state director for the Drug Policy Alliance. "For some local elected officials, that may be bad timing. But for the people of this county who voted to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, it's long overdue."

Some of the confirmed raids:

* Green Tree Solutions: 8055 Clairemont Mesa Blvd , 92111
* Hillcrest Compassion Care: 1295 University Ave.
(619) 291-4420
* Top Quality Collective: 7933 Balboa (619) 820-9869
* Nature's Rx 3520: Ashford St. Suite E (858) 495-0420
* Total Herbal Care Inc, A nonprofit Collective: 4667
1/2 Cass St.
(858) 270-4THC (4842)
* Movement in Action: 1050 S. Santa Fe Ave. Vista
(760) 500-8868

Source: Drug Policy Alliance