Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle (MT)
Copyright: 2011 The Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Contact:  http://bozemandailychronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1686
Author: Daniel Person, Chronicle Staff Writer

CAREGIVER CLOSES DOORS AMID FEDERAL PRESSURE

As a state judge mulls a law that would shut down Montana's medical
marijuana industry, one area caregiver said he is closing his business
and laying off 40 employees for fear of federal prosecution.

"I'm buckling to federal pressure," said Rob Dobrowski, owner of Area
420, which operated four storefronts in Montana. "I'm scared, and I'm
going to stop because the (Drug Enforcement Administration) are acting
like a bunch of thugs and destroying people's livelihoods and putting
people in prison for creating something that is good, something that
helps the economy, helps patients."

Dobrowksi's decision underscores the myriad of challenges facing
marijuana caregivers in the state: As they challenge the Montana law
aimed at banning commercial marijuana operations, federal officials
seem to be souring to the industry, meaning that even if growers are
successful in blocking parts of the state law, their businesses remain
in serious jeopardy.

Chuck Watson, a Bozeman lawyer who has represented several caregivers,
said regardless of what happens with the state law, he is telling his
clients to close down.

"I'm advising my clients to shut down out of an abundance of caution
so they don't frustrate the federal government," he said. "No lawyer
with any sense would advise his client to stay open in this
atmosphere."

Dobrowski made the decision to close his store Sunday after employees
at his Jackrabbit Lane storefront reported seeing people in unmarked,
black vehicles pull up to the business. They believe the drivers were
federal agents.

Dobrowski said the raid of several medical marijuana businesses in
March and April led him to decide that staying open was not worth the
risk.

"I heard they were patrolling the store ... and I said, 'That's it.
We're done,'" he said.

A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Michael Cotter said the office does
not comment on the existence of ongoing investigations.

Dobrowski said Area 420 had more than 700 patients and 40 employees.
Thirty of those employees have been laid off, he said, and the
remaining 10 will be let go shortly.

But Dobrowski isn't going silently. He wrote large messages Sunday on
his warehouse doors using red paint.

Scrawled across one warehouse was, "Empty. You win. The only ones
happy are you."

Businesses such as Dobrowski's face pressure across the
state.

A state law is set to go into effect Friday that will make commercial
marijuana businesses such as Area 420 illegal. That law is being
challenged in court, and a state judge last week said he was
"struggling" with the law and suggested he may block part of it before
it takes effect.

Also, recent raids and a letter Cotter sent to state lawmakers makes
it clear that there is a limit to what the federal government will
allow in regards to medical marijuana.

In a letter to lawmakers written April 20, Cotter said justice
department officials "maintain the authority" to go after people who
grow and sell marijuana, "even if such activities are permitted under
state law."

One Montana caregiver already indicted on drug charges told the
Associated Press last week that federal agents told him more raids
could be coming.

"We've got a lot of people pretty rattled right now," said Chris
Lindsey, a medical marijuana attorney. "There are some who are going
to try to stick it out and try to make it happen. ... But more people
are feeling it's not worth the risk anymore."

At one of Area 420's greenhouses Monday, workers cleaned up the last
remnants of the marijuana plants that once flourished there.

General manager Christopher Laban said he got a job with Area 420
after being laid off as a drywall supervisor. He plans on collecting
unemployment once the business is shut down. He placed the blame on
Montana lawmakers.

"This has been the best job I've ever had," he said at the greenhouse.
"The Legislature had their 'jobs' branding iron. I don't see any jobs.
I see I'm going on unemployment." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.