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January 17, 2007
DEA Raids Eleven Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Today, City of West Hollywood Not Amused
Five Santa Monica Blvd. medical marijuana dispensaries were raided by the feds today, pretty much harshing the mellow of the WeHo city council.
"The state of California voted to allow marijuana for medical purposes," says West Hollywood City Councilmember Abbe Land. "The City of West Hollywood along with other cities across the state have established regulations to govern the dispensing of medical marijuana, so that people whose lives depend on this drug can be assured of safe access to their medicine. The DEA should spend their time going after dispensaries that are not operating in accordance with local ordinances, as well as unscrupulous doctors who write illegitimate prescriptions," she continued.The dispensaries in question were: Alternative Herbal Health, Medical Marijuana Pharmacy, West Hollywood Caregivers, California Cannabis Pharmacy, West Hollywood Center for Compassionate Healing."Today's actions again demonstrate the skewed priorities of the Bush administration and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration," says West Hollywood City Councilmember Jeffrey Prang. "Providing safe access to medical marijuana for those living with serious and often painful illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and other terminal diseases is something this City supports. We have worked closely with our community to insure these establishments operate safely and comply with the spirit of Proposition 215 adopted by the voters of California," he continued. - Business Wire
Sara Pullen of the DEA said that federal laws overrule state laws so they not only raided the five West Hollywood dispensaries, but four in the Valley, one in Hollywood, and one in Venice.
"Obviously we are looking for marijuana and other illegal drugs, marijuana edibles and evidence of ongoing criminal activity and anything from paperwork to documents -- you name it... Marijuana is illegal in any form," she said. "Federal law does have supremacy over state law where there is a difference between federal law and state law by a ruling of the Supreme Court. Therefore, marijuana is illegal." Pullen told CBS2.
City Manager Paul Arevalo said that today's actions was news to the City. “The DEA raids came as a complete surprise to the City,” said Arevalo. “It is regrettable that the federal, state and local governments cannot work together on this issue.”
photo by Thomas Hawk
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So there were actually a total of 11 to 13 dispensaries that were shut down total in los angeles county over the period of the day. there's a protest tomorrow morning. Heres some of the info i got.
"Patients and advocates are protesting DEA raids at numerous medical cannabis
collectives in Los Angeles and West Hollywood tonight. Crowds are gathering
outside of a popular collective in Sherman Oaks on Ventura Blvd. between
Coldwater Canyon and Woodman Ave. Another group has assembled in West
Hollywood at the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd. and Fairfax Ave. in
sight of three simultaneous DEA raids."
"There will be a rally and press conference tomorrow morning (Thursday) at
8:30 AM at West Hollywood City Hall located at 8300 Santa Monica Blvd.
Former CA Assemblyman and medical cannabis champion Paul Koretz will be
present, and elected officials from Los Angeles and West Hollywood have been
invited. Please be there at 8:30 AM to show your support!"
"We have already planned a major protest at the Federal Building in downtown
Los Angeles for Monday, January 22, at 12:00 PM. This action is now more
crucial than ever. We need to pull out all the stops and make a powerful
showing next Monday. Please take the day off, take a long lunch, or call in
sick. Organize a carpool, make signs, and bring your loved ones. The rally
will be at 12:00 PM at 255 East Temple Street in downtown.
"Please do not give in to fear right now. We have fought them back before and
we can do it again!" - Don Duncan
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Do we have a definitive list of dispensaries that were shut down?
Also, some previous dispensary closures here in LA were the result of back door dealings and other shady practices. If those closed today were of these variety, then good riddance to bad rubbish. I worry however that the DEA is incapable if differentiating between a shady dispensary and one that is operating properly.
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its sad that people often forget that federal law preempts state laws, unless federal law allows states to enact legislation for it. the supremacy clause which is stated in the constitution declares that . as much as i believe that marijuana can help, we have to change the rules about it on a federal level.
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How many people are getting baked tonight planning the tomorrow rally? Comedy.
I agree with the getting rid of bad rubbish, just run a clean business and don't be all shady. No matter what business you run. But really, what a waste of time and energy and money.
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Rock on Abbe Land and Jeffrey Prang for their statements. Well said.
Unfortunately, whether or not WeHo has the best relationships in the world with their 5 dispensaries, the DEA, as a federal government agency, cannot or should not cherry pick the businesses.
As Omar said, "we have to change the rules about it on a federal level." Likelihood of that happening anytime soon, probably not. And that's a shame.
Regarding the protest one of the dispensaries that I live very near in Sherman Oaks, that one never seemed legit to me, especially since numerous drug deals were going on in the alley behind (they were busted too). One LAPD officer alluded to a number of them being run by local gangs. I cannot verify that though.
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Omar: Not quite true. Federal laws pre-empt state laws *in subject areas that the Federal government has jusrisdiction over*. Those subject areas are listed here.
In all other matters the states, or people individually, have the authority. (as mentioned in Amendments 9 and 10)