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MMJ outlets stay open; Locals regulating sales |
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Written by Richard Lee
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Friday, 05 August 2005 |
MMJ outlets stay open;
Locals regulating sales
One month after the Gonzalez v. Raich decision, more than 150 medical
marijuana outlets continue to operate without federal interference.
The day after the ruling the Alameda County Public
Safety Committee voted to issue permits to three dispensaries in the
unincorporated areas of the county. Sheriff Charles Plummer promised
that the DEA would not shut down any of his well-regulated and tax
paying dispensaries. Since federal agencies rely on having good
relations with local agencies, there is a powerful incentive for the
two to get along.
After Raich, cannabis dispensaries continue to operate across state
Oakland has reissued four cannabis dispensary permits and will
collect $80,000 in annual permit fees plus business and sales taxes
that could exceed $250,000 this year alone.
While San Francisco police did get assistance from the DEA June 22
to close three dispensaries that had a long history of run-in’s with
local police, the City is working on regulations for the remaining 40
cannabis outlets currently operating there. After raiding the three
clubs, the DEA announced to the press that the clubs were being
prosecuted primarily for failure to pay taxes, not for medical
marijuana sales.
Another apparently isolated raid in Sacramento came July 7 on the
heels of nuisance complaints against a dispensary there. Americans for
Safe Access and other groups held protests against both raids, accusing
law enforcement of violating California patients’ right to obtain
cannabis.
Meanwhile, a medical marijuana retailer reopened its doors recently
while fighting a LA police intrusion into West Hollywood’s
jurisdiction. No criminal charges have been filed against them since
the early May raid, when a commercial quantity of cannabis was seized.
The State Board of Equalization is expected to rule this fall on
how and when sales tax is to be collected on medical marijuana.
R.I. Senate moves MMJ
Rhode Island lawmakers took a Senate vote 28 to 6 to override the governor’s veto of medical marijuana legislation.
The House agreed to an override vote, but had not voted by press time. |
Richard Lee |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 August 2006 )
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