Pubdate: Thu, 17 Nov 2011
Source: Great Falls Tribune (MT)
Copyright: 2011 Great Falls Tribune
Contact: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2502
Author: John S. Adams
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

OFFICIALS RAID MONTANA MARIJUANA SHOPS

HELENA - Federal law enforcement officials on Tuesday and Wednesday 
executed 12 criminal search warrants and four civil seizure warrants 
on medical marijuana operations in four Montana towns.

According to U.S. Attorney Michael Cotter's office, the crackdown was 
the culmination of a 12-month multi-agency investigation into what 
authorities say were criminal drug trafficking activities in 
Kalispell, Missoula, Somers and Whitefish.

The four civil seizure warrants executed at financial institutions in 
Missoula seek an unspecified amount of money, according to a news 
release issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Wednesday afternoon.

The release states that the warrants were issued based on judicial 
findings that probable cause exists to believe the operations were 
"involved in criminal enterprises that have violated the Controlled 
Substances Act related to marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance."

Authorities allege that the premises or property raided this week 
were involved in the illegal manufacture and distribution of 
marijuana, conspiracy and money laundering.

While 16 states, including Montana, have legalized some form of 
medical marijuana use, the federal government still considers the 
drug an illegal controlled substance with a high potential for abuse 
and no accepted medical use.

"The Drug Enforcement Administration will continue to enforce all 
laws under the Controlled Substances Act, including the targeting of 
drug trafficking organizations involved in the cultivation and 
distribution of marijuana," acting special agent in charge Kevin 
Merrill, of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, said in a statement.

The federal government has cracked down on dozens of medical 
marijuana caregiver operations across the state this year. Medical 
marijuana advocates say the Obama administration abruptly reversed 
its policy on medical marijuana, which it set forth in a 2009 Justice 
Department memo.

The so-called "Ogden memo" was widely viewed as indication that the 
Obama administration would no longer pursue medical marijuana users 
who followed their state's medical marijuana laws and did not 
otherwise engage in criminal activity.

Supporters of Montana's medical marijuana community said they were 
saddened by Wednesday's raids.

"For one thing, why are we any different than California?" said Kate 
Cholewa, policy and communications director for the Montana Cannabis 
Industry Association.

According to news reports, the Justice Department last month ordered 
landlords in Northern California to evict at least four Bay Area 
medical marijuana outlets within 45 days or face prosecution.

Supporters of Montana's medical marijuana community wonder why 
federal authorities didn't give Montana caregivers the same courtesy.

"It would have been nice if we got 45 days," Cholewa said. "I don't 
believe there's something uglier happening in Montana than there is 
in California. Why are they doing this here?"

"When criminal networks violate federal laws in Montana, those 
involved will be prosecuted," Cotter said in a statement.

Cotter's statement adds, "individuals with illnesses who are in clear 
and unambiguous compliance with state law are not the focus of this 
investigation."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom