Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Federal Asset Seizures, Marijuana Eradication Funds Hit Historic Levels
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 2:42 PM
California's weed users, growers and dispensaries have become a money-filled piñata that federal and state police are taking eager whacks at, a new report indicates NORML's Paul Armentano picks apart a July 2012 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report: "The Justice Department's asset forfeiture fund under President Barack Obama is the largest on record, having grown from $500 million in 2003, to $1.8 billion in 2011. According to the GAO, the fund paid out approximately $79 million to California law enforcement agencies, the most in the nation, for their participation in federal raids and seizures."
- David Downs
- Federal asset forfeitures have hit historic levels, fueling payments to local police for the crackdown
Meanwhile Representative Barbara Lee has introduced federal legislation HR 6335 to shield state-lawful dispensaries from forfeiture — but like all other marijuana-related bills, it's not expected to move out of the Republican-controlled House.
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