Pubdate: Wed, 27 Nov 2013
Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO)
Column: CannaBiz
Copyright: 2013 Colorado Springs Independent
Contact:  http://www.csindy.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536
Author: Joshua Hutton

BIG RAID UP NORTH, GOOD NEWS IN CENTRAL CITY

Raid reaction

On Nov. 21, federal agents raided more than a dozen medical marijuana 
facilities and two homes in Denver, Commerce City and Boulder county. 
In some cases, they just piled plants on the sidewalk. Store 
operators watched as the marijuana, cash, electronically stored 
information and financial records were confiscated. Patients drove 
off empty-handed.

When the smoke cleared, the raid easily qualified as the most 
extensive since Colorado approved medical marijuana in 2000.

Among the shops raided was Swiss Medical in Boulder. James Wollrab, 
the store owner's attorney, said in an interview with the Denver Post 
that more than $1 million in plants were seized from his client: 
"They didn't leave any instructions, saying don't replant. There was 
no court order of cease and desist. No explanation."

Jeff Dorschner, Denver spokesperson for the U.S. Department of 
Justice, says in a statement that the orchestrated effort between the 
Drug Enforcement Agency, IRS criminal investigations unit and Denver 
police was a response to more than one of the marijuana regulation 
guidelines issued by the feds being broken or ignored.

"While the investigation is ongoing," he said, "there are strong 
indications that more than one of the eight federal prosecution 
priorities identified in the Department of Justice's August guidance 
memo are potentially implicated."

Three sources, asking to remain anonymous, told the Post that the 
stores and homes raided are under investigation for ties to Colombian 
drug cartels.

Mark Slaugh, Southern Colorado regional coordinator at Campaign to 
Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, tells the Indy that the raids 
initially shocked him.

"There was a lot of confusion at first," he says. "Once it became 
clear they were investigating criminal activity, I think it shows 
that the DOJ will do exactly what they said they would do."

That in mind, Slaugh stresses compliance: "Make sure you and your 
staff know the regulations. If they fall outside of them, then they 
should receive what's due."

Red-letter day

On the same day as the raid, nearly 40 miles west, a Central City MMJ 
center named Annie's became the first in the state to receive its 
local recreational retail license, according to a post on its Facebook page.

The Marijuana Enforcement Division has accepted more than 130 
applications thus far. An additional 400 MMJ dispensaries across the 
state are eligible to apply.

"Colorado is moving forward and leaving marijuana prohibition 
behind," Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana 
Policy Project, said in a statement announcing the retail license. 
"For the first time in history, those who sell marijuana are 
receiving licenses from the state instead of rap sheets."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom