Law Enforcement & Crime
Friday, May 18, 2012
Dhar Mann, Owner of Oakland's WeGrow, the "Wal-Mart of Weed", Faces Thirteen Felony Charges
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Fri, May 18, 2012 at 9:04 AM
From the Oakland Tribune's Matthew Artz on Thursday: "One of Oakland's highest-profile cannabis entrepreneurs is scheduled to be arraigned on 13 felony counts for allegedly pocketing city grant money that was to be used for upgrades at four of his properties. In a complaint filed Thursday, the Alameda County District Attorney's office accused Dharminder "Dhar" Mann of submitting copies of checks made out to contractors for city reimbursement without actually submitting the checks to the contractors."
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Feds May Close San Francisco's Famous Vapor Room by June 13
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Tue, May 15, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Today the East Bay Express looks at the darkening cloud over another beloved Bay Area dispensary. Haight street icon Vapor Room faces imminent closure by local U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag. Vapor Room may shut its doors June 13, a staffer said on the phone Tuesday. As we write in the review, we may be witnessing the closure of one of the coolest cannabis lounges on the planet.
On Monday the club tweeted and Facebooked that they were closing for the day:
"Hey Folks, we're taking the day off. Sorry for the inconvenience. Check back this week. We look forward to seeing you soon!"
The tweet instantly set off speculation that the nine-year-old dispensary had succumbed to a months-long crusade by U.S. Attorney Haag. "Are you guys remaining open? I thought today was the last day?" a fan commented.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Berkeley Patients Group: "Today Is Our Last Day"
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Medical marijuana industry leader Berkeley Patients Group of Berkeley will close its doors at the end of its business day today — and not re-open them. A receptionist there just confirmed the contents of an email sent to collective members this morning, stating: "Today is our last day."
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Statement from Richard Lee on Oaksterdam Raid, Plus Videos, Protest, and Reactions
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 2:50 PM
This just came over from Oaksterdam University founder Richard Lee, who was the subject of a massive federal raid in Oakland Monday:
"On Monday, April 2, my school - Oaksterdam University in Oakland - was raided by the DEA, IRS, and US Marshals. Oaksterdam provides training to the medical cannabis industry, and is fully compliant with state and local law.
President Obama promised at the beginning of his administration to respect state medical marijuana laws. He has broken this promise time and time again - and the consequences have been devastating.
This was a senseless act of intimidation. But I've been an activist far too long to become intimidated - and with the majority of Americans and common sense on our side, I know this is a fight we can win.
With our government trillions in debt, why is our government using taxpayer dollars to come after me, Oaksterdam, and the thousands of patients who need medical marijuana just to get through the day?
Tell President Obama and the DEA: Enough is enough. Keep your campaign promise, and stop the raids on the medical cannabis industry!
Thanks for your support, Richard Lee"
A link to a Change.org petition is provided.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Richard Lee Detained in Oaksterdam Raid
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Federal officials from at least three law enforcement agencies raided Oaksterdam University and several other locations owned or affiliated with Prop 19 founder Richard Lee in Oakland this morning. IRS and DEA spokespeople said the search warrant for the raids is under seal, with no time frame for the seal being lifted. They would not comment further. Reports state that Richard Lee and three others have been detained.
Federal RAID of Oaksterdam University In Progress
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 8:25 AM
We've heard from Americans for Safe Access this morning that a federal raid of Oaksterdam University and OU owner Richard Lee's personal residence is currently underway in Oakland. We're heading to the scene. More news as we hear. Post comment below with any news and follow us at Twitter: LegaliztionNatn.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Rep. Torres' 'Sober DUI' Bill Catches Flak From Cops
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 2:17 PM
The retired cops at Law Enforcement Against Prohibition dressed down Chino Assemblywoman Norma Torres' AB 2552 earlier this week, saying her proposed bill - which makes any amount of cannabinoids in the blood the benchmark for intoxication, thereby forcing people who haven't smoked a joint in weeks to go to jail - would imprison sober drivers.
"It is absolutely conceivable that, if passed, this bill will become the foundation for DUI checkpoint abuses where the answer to the simple question, 'are you a legal medical cannabis patient?' will result in arrest and conviction under circumstances where impaired driving never occurred. And if it happens to the same patient on three occasions, they will face a mandatory ten-year prison sentence, all while still being innocent."
"Keeping impaired drivers off the road is one of law enforcement's most important jobs, but this bill has no basis in science. Enacting this legislation would not only be disastrous for our state's legal medical marijuana patients, but would impede public safety for all Californians by distracting police from catching actually dangerous drivers. Assemblymember Torres should withdraw this legislation immediately."
Monday, March 26, 2012
SF Dispensary Sales Illegal? Nah, Says Oakland Attorney Robert Raich
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 10:11 AM
The San Francisco District Attorney's office stated in a court memo this month that sales of medical marijuana at dispensaries are illegal. It was news to us, and news to Oakland lawyer and cannabis law expert Robert Raich, who took a cannabis case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Raich sent us this email outlining why DA's office is off-base. Put your law review caps on after the jump.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Assemblywoman Norma Torres: Sober Drivers Should Go To Jail
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Thu, Mar 22, 2012 at 4:49 PM
According to the vehicle code, it's already a crime to drive stoned, yet Chino Assemblywoman Norma Torres has introduced Assembly Bill 2552, which would make it a crime to drive sober. How?
Because she wants to make it "unlawful for any person who has any level of cannabinoids or synthetic cannabinoid compound in his or her blood or urine to drive a vehicle."
Cannabinoids — the active in ingredient in cannabis — can stay in the body for up to sixty days. Pot's effect wears off in 90 minutes to three hours. Ergo, someone who's had a a joint thirty days prior to any collision can be jailed for DUI under Torres' ignorant bill. AB 2552 creates more costs to the state, criminalizes innocent people and does not the make roads any bit safer.
Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana's Lynnette Shaw on Fox Business News Tonight
Law Enforcement & Crime David Downs — Thu, Mar 22, 2012 at 10:23 AM
"Lynnette Shaw, medical cannabis expert and owner of the now closed Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana (MAMM) will be a featured guest on Fox Business News' "The John Stossel Show," scheduled to air tonight, March 22nd, 9 p.m. (EST.) Shaw was forced to close her dispensary in December because of the DOJ's threatening letters to her landlord. "For fifteen years Shaw operated in compliance with local regulations, with no problems or complaints, and with the support of the mayor and city council," the press release states:
