Pubdate: Wed, 03 Feb 2016
Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO)
Column: CannaBiz
Copyright: 2016 Colorado Springs Independent
Contact:  http://www.csindy.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536
Author: Nat Stein

LAZY LION RAIDED BY FEDS BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHY

A contingent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal 
Revenue Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and 
Explosives, and local law-enforcement agencies executed a search 
warrant at the Lazy Lion cannabis club in Colorado Springs on the 
morning of Tuesday, Jan. 26, according to Jeffrey Dorschner, 
spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

"Because of the ongoing nature of the investigation, I really can't 
say more," he tells the Independent.

Contrary to indignant posts on the Lion's Facebook page, the feds did 
not "shut down the club." Nor is the club "going thru a remodel," as 
a paper sign hung on a chain-link fence bordering the club at 2502 E. 
Bijou St. had stated.

No arrests were made that day, and no charges have been filed.

So, what is going on?

Matthew Buck, an attorney with Denver-based law firm Corry & 
Associates, represents Lazy Lion owner Andrew Poarch. Buck says he 
knows the investigation has something do with the club's finances, 
but without access to the warrant or knowledge of any charges, he can 
only speculate about the specifics.

"It's the same way they got Al Capone. They got him for tax evasion," 
he tells the Independent.

These are uncertain times for local cannabis clubs. The private, 
members-only clubs aren't licensed like dispensaries, but tiptoe 
around some legalese to exchange marijuana for cash. Some clubs offer 
single servings - pre-rolled joints, single dabs or bite-sized 
edibles - that patrons can consume on-site if they reimburse the 
club. Others exchange larger quantities that patrons can take home.

Lawmakers are scrambling to deal with the ambiguity.

At the state Capitol, Rep. Kit Roupe, R-Colorado Springs, was poised 
to co-sponsor a bill to regulate cannabis clubs, but it died mere 
days after the legislative session got underway.

And at Colorado Springs City Hall, the Medical Marijuana Task Force 
has been meeting to put together an ordinance or two to address the issues .

Jason Warf, who lobbies on behalf of the Association of Cannabis 
Social Clubs (which includes Studio A64, the Speak Easy Vape Lounge 
and One Love Club, all local), says the recent raid makes the need 
for regulation all the more urgent.

"It's nothing more than a strong-armed robbery against a perfectly 
legal industry here in Colorado," Warf tells the Independent. "Even 
though our industry does pay taxes, [the IRS] can always find 
something that doesn't line up with code. It's intimidation."

If the investigation has something to do with white-collar crime - as 
the presence of IRS agents would suggest - it could be "certified 
complex," which means, Buck says, that the right to a speedy trial 
may not apply.

"I don't think I'm going to have an idea [of the charges] until 
summer," he adds.

Regardless, Warf doesn't want to see this happen again.

"We'll encourage City Council and state lawmakers to keep federal 
raids from happening in Colorado," he says.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom