Pubdate: Sun, 26 Aug 2012
Source: Colfax Record (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Gold Country Media
Contact: http://forms.placeropolis.com/?form=letter
Website: http://www.colfaxrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4297
Author: Nancy Hagman

COUNTY'S ONLY MARIJUANA COLLECTIVE CLOSES

Letter From US Department of Justice Warns That 8-Year-Old Business 
in Violation of Law

COLFAX -- Golden State Patient Care Collective -- known as the GSPCC 
- -- has closed its doors in Colfax.

The collective had dispensed cannabis to patients with medical 
prescriptions and state-issued authorization for eight years. It was 
the lone legal medical marijuana shop in Placer County.

The Aug. 3 closure is apparently the result of action taken by 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Khasigian, head of the Eastern 
District of California of the Department of Justice. On July 2, 
Khasigian had sent a certified letter to Gilbert Dalpino, owner of 
the property located at 233 State Highway 174 where the GSPCC was the tenant.

The letter from Khasigian advised Dalpino that the distribution of 
marijuana is in violation of federal law. The letter also stated that 
the continued use of the property in such violation "may result in 
forfeiture and criminal or civil penalties."

Lauren Horwood, spokeswoman for the Department of Justice district 
office in Sacramento, said Thursday, "It is the intention of the 
letter to get the landowner to comply with federal law."

In 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215, the Compassionate 
Use Act, which allows seriously ill people to legally grow and use 
cannabis as medicine.

A Colfax Record article published April 22, 2004 reported the GSPCC 
had been issued a business license by the City of Colfax on March 29, 
2004 and it opened its doors four days later. The article also named 
Jim Henry and Cheryle Riendeau as co-owners of the business at the time.

According to Bruce Kranz, Colfax city manager, the current city 
ordinance no longer allows marijuana dispensaries within city limits.

Kranz said the collective's closure will have an effect on the city 
coffers. "This will be like the loss of any small business in terms 
of revenue to the city," Kranz said.

Laurie Van Groningen, the city's director of finance, said the 
business paid $500 annually for its license.

Laurel Mathe, president of Colfax Pride Inc., a nonprofit 
organization that sponsors Colfax civic activities, said the GSPCC's 
closure will impact community projects. "The collective's owners have 
always been generous to Pride and the community; they gave $750 
toward the fireworks this year," Mathe said.

Now, patients will have to travel to Citrus Heights in Sacramento 
County to fill their medical marijuana prescriptions.

Neither Dalpino nor the collective's owners could be reached for 
comment by press time Friday afternoon.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom