cannabisnews.com: Crackdown on Medical Marijuana





Crackdown on Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on April 16, 2005 at 08:10:05 PT
By Glenda Anderson, The Press Democrat
Source: Press Democrat
California -- Mendocino County's pot-friendly reputation is eroding as law enforcement officials increasingly crack down on people they say are capitalizing on medical marijuana laws.In February, Mendocino County sheriff's deputies shut down a Ukiah-area cannabis club that sold marijuana to undercover agents. In the process, they seized 845 plants and 75 pounds of dried marijuana.
This week, they arrested two Berkeley residents who said the 44 pounds of pot in the trunk of their rented Honda Civic was slated for an Alameda County cannabis club."I was actually very surprised the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office would encumber someone who was bringing medical marijuana to a legitimate dispensary," said Bob Swanson, a liaison for Alameda County 4th District Supervisor Nathan Miley. Swanson called authorities to lobby for the release of Winslow Norton, 24, owner of the Compassionate Collective of Alameda County, and his girlfriend, Jessica Gibson, 20."I don't know what's going on in Mendocino County," he said.Adding to his dismay, sheriff's deputies also seized $150,000 Norton's father brought in for his bail because it reeked of marijuana. The two suspects will remain in the county jail until at least Monday, when a hearing will be held to examine their bail sources for legitimacy.No one should be surprised by the arrests, said Rick Martin, Mendocino County's assistant district attorney."They were transporting it for the purpose of sale. Selling it is not legal," he said.Medical marijuana laws allow caregivers to recoup "reasonable compensation" for providing pot, but does not allow them to make huge profits, Martin said.Mendocino County's reputation for being lenient with pot growers stems largely from officials' willingness to implement Proposition 215, which legalized marijuana for medical use in 1996.Shortly after the measure was approved by voters, Mendocino County's sheriff and district attorney instituted identification cards to protect medical marijuana patients from prosecution. They also said they don't have the time or manpower to prosecute small-time pot growers.Local medical marijuana growers credit the two men for allowing them to feel comfortable cultivating and selling their crops.Martin said county law enforcement policies haven't changed. What's happening is people claiming to be caregivers are increasingly pushing legal boundaries."I think some people are looking at medical marijuana as a free ride. That's not the purpose of the law," Martin said.Source: Press Democrat, The (CA)Author: Glenda Anderson, The Press DemocratPublished: Saturday, April 16, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Press DemocratContact: letters pressdemo.comWebsite: http://www.pressdemo.com/Related Articles: SR Cracks Down on Pot Clubshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20471.shtmlPot Clubs - Press Democrathttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20378.shtmlCouncil Should Let Supreme Court Decide http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20331.shtmlResolve Issues on Medical Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20329.shtml 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 17, 2005 at 09:49:21 PT
AP: Mendocino County Cracks Down On Pot Dealers
Officials Claim Dealers Exploit Medical Marijuana Laws April 17, 2005MENDOCINO, Calif. -- Mendocino officials aren't rolling over for pot dealers they claim are exploiting medical marijuana laws.The authorities with a reputation for going easy on pot have been cracking down.In February, Mendocino County sheriff's deputies shut down a cannabis club near Ukiah that sold marijuana to undercover agents, and seized 845 plants. Earlier this week, police arrested two Berkeley residents who said the 44 pounds of pot in the trunk of their rented car were headed to an Alameda County cannabis club."I was actually very surprised the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office would encumber someone who was bringing medical marijuana to a legitimate dispensary," said Bob Swanson, a spokesman for Alameda County Supervisor Nathan Miley.Swanson called authorities to lobby for the release of Winslow Norton, 24, owner of the Compassionate Collective of Alameda County, and his girlfriend, Jessica Gibson, 20. They'll remain in county jail at least until a hearing on Monday."I don't know what's going on in Mendocino County," he said.The county has a reputation for being lenient with pot growers. Officials willingly implemented Proposition 215, which legalized marijuana for medical use.Shortly after the measure was approved, Mendocino County's sheriff instituted identification cards to protect medical marijuana patients from prosecution.But Rick Martin, assistant district attorney for Mendocino County, said people are pushing the legal boundaries too far."I think some people are looking at medical marijuana as a free ride. That's not the purpose of the law," Martin said. Copyright 2005 by The Associated Presshttp://www.nbc4.tv/health/4387110/detail.html
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