Pubdate: Thu, 31 Dec 2015
Source: Trentonian, The (NJ)
Copyright: 2015 The Trentonian
Contact:  http://www.trentonian.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1006
Author: L.A. Parker

LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA LEADS TO WORRIES OVER POT HEISTS

Initial reports of the burglary of a Madras, Ore. marijuana 
dispensary forced a check up on several local cannabis smoking friends.

With all present and accounted for, time allowed for an investigation 
about pot theft.

As legal cannabis dispensaries, many identified as medical marijuana 
outlets, dot the U.S. landscape in several states, it's 
understandable that stoners, under the influence, would hatch ideas 
about marijuana heists.

A universal joke involves alleged great Western World game changers 
conceived under hazed influence that sound cockamamie the morning after.

Imagine primo smokers Cheech and Chong or any of your potsmoking 
friends blazed and in full dream about breaking and entering a pot 
store then walking away with a motherlode of premium puffage. Far out 
bud man. Actually, marijuana legalization has created a 'pottage' 
industry of sorts as robbers have responded with more chutzpah than 
Bonnie and Clyde.

The Madras incident occurred after closing which meant a minimal 
heist as most laws require dispensary owners to lock marijuana 
products in safes.

It's not like a burglar or robber in love with Mary Jane can just 
break in and walk off with major stashes of sinsemilla.

However, real danger exists during business hours as dispensaries 
face the potential for armed robbery.

These incidents are definitely tied to cash as dispensaries have money on hand.

Here's why as explained in an Airsafe.com online article.

Dispensaries have cash on hand "due to the fact that the purchase, 
sale, and consumption of marijuana is still considered illegal by the 
federal government, and traditionally the federal government has made 
it very difficult for banks, credit card companies, and other 
financial institutions to work with marijuana-related businesses."

The governmental refusal to legalize marijuana puts at risk employees 
working in legal pot dispensaries.

Federal government officials should support legislation that 
legalizes marijuana use and develop strategies that permit the 
banking industry to allow access for marijuana businesses.

Without such forward thinking, which should have been in place prior 
to dispensary openings, marijuana outlet employees will face constant danger.

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws 
legalizing weed in some form.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom