feds boast more to come, corry sez they bluff

[copobo]

Feds Say They Arenâ??t Bluffing About Dispensary Crackdown « CBS Denver (http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/01/21/feds-say-they-arent-bluffing-about-dispensary-crackdown/)


DENVER (CBS4) â?? U.S. Attorney John Walsh is rebuffing claims the federal government is sitting idly by as Colorado enacts laws to regulate the booming medical marijuana industry.

The dispensaries have 45 days to shut down, and if they donâ??t shut down they will face possible seizure and maybe even criminal charges.

Just how many dispensaries are within 1,000 feet of schools isnâ??t clear. What is, is a letter sent to 23 dispensaries so far by Walsh and it will be going to many more.

â??That was not intended to be the end of it. We intend to send letters of this kind, warning letters, to every marijuana dispensary or cultivation site in the state of Colorado that are within 1,000 feet of schools,â?� Walsh said.

The distance is measured from the door of a dispensary to the property line of the school. The letter gives the dispensaries 45 days to shut down or face federal enforcement action.

â??I think this is a bluff. The federal government is bluffing. They donâ??t have the stomach for this fight,â?� medical marijuana attorney Rob Corry said.

â??It is a not a bluff and I would hope that no dispensary that received one of these letters would make that assumption because it would not be a good for thing for them to assume,â?� Walsh said.

What makes this a dilemma for dispensaries is that many near schools have been grandfathered in under state or local laws.

Walsh also has a warning for dispensaries that are not within 1,000 feet of a school.

â??I would say they need to recognize that their activities are against federal law and they cannot assume that there would not an enforcement action on this issue,â?� Walsh said.

The first deadline is Feb. 27 for dispensaries that received letters to shut down.

[MEDEDCANNABIS]

Feds Say They Aren’t Bluffing About Dispensary Crackdown « CBS Denver (http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/01/21/feds-say-they-arent-bluffing-about-dispensary-crackdown/)


DENVER (CBS4) – U.S. Attorney John Walsh is rebuffing claims the federal government is sitting idly by as Colorado enacts laws to regulate the booming medical marijuana industry.

The dispensaries have 45 days to shut down, and if they don’t shut down they will face possible seizure and maybe even criminal charges.

Just how many dispensaries are within 1,000 feet of schools isn’t clear. What is, is a letter sent to 23 dispensaries so far by Walsh and it will be going to many more.

“That was not intended to be the end of it. We intend to send letters of this kind, warning letters, to every marijuana dispensary or cultivation site in the state of Colorado that are within 1,000 feet of schools,” Walsh said.

The distance is measured from the door of a dispensary to the property line of the school. The letter gives the dispensaries 45 days to shut down or face federal enforcement action.

“I think this is a bluff. The federal government is bluffing. They don’t have the stomach for this fight,” medical marijuana attorney Rob Corry said.

“It is a not a bluff and I would hope that no dispensary that received one of these letters would make that assumption because it would not be a good for thing for them to assume,” Walsh said.

What makes this a dilemma for dispensaries is that many near schools have been grandfathered in under state or local laws.

Walsh also has a warning for dispensaries that are not within 1,000 feet of a school.

“I would say they need to recognize that their activities are against federal law and they cannot assume that there would not an enforcement action on this issue,” Walsh said.

The first deadline is Feb. 27 for dispensaries that received letters to shut down.






like i say, all these people who think they are legal might find a federal warrant staring them in the face. feds want to make money again and obama wont be pres forever.

[5280and420]

like i say, all these people who think they are legal might find a federal warrant staring them in the face. feds want to make money again and obama wont be pres forever.

I'd presume they would send a letter telling you close first, not just a warrant first. How does closing a dispensary make the feds money? And weren't the CA dispensaries open under George W Bush?

[canaguy27]

all corry is doing is pissing off john walsh. The Feds WILL shut down these 23 places and many more. This is just the start. John Walsh even admitted that this is a "first wave." They are dividing and conquering. I was at the MMBA meeting last week talking about this issue. 15-20 people were actually listening while 50 more socialized in the back.

If you are an MMC owner and think it won't happen to you...GET REAL... It is and will happen to you and your fellow business people.

Call Chickenlooper and DEMAND that he fight this. Phone (303) 866-2471

[copobo]

it's important that some dumb ones get busted. it will be big news, and it will drive the legalization effort.

[canaguy27]

"dumb ones"? what do you mean by that? The ones I know personally aren't dumb. This is just the beginning of a war on patients.

[williboy]

Follow the money! Since some MMC are makeing money that makes the big boys (Pharmacedica Industry) get greedy, which put pressure on lobbiests to pressure our government agencies and law enforcement to pressure us and as we all know crap rolls downhill......so thats how we all in up under this crazy pile of...All I know is that I never go to Longs, Rexal, or Walgreens anymore, I just go into the garden and there will be a whole new pile of crap if they try to stop me from that.

[copobo]

"dumb ones"? what do you mean by that? The ones I know personally aren't dumb. This is just the beginning of a war on patients.

if they got a letter, and they are staying open... that is open for debate! Any of these that can move and aren't... they ARE dumb !

[HighPopalorum]

This morning, CPR aired an interview with John Walsh, the federal attorney driving this. He claimed his office has identified hundreds of medical marijuana businesses within 1000 feet of schools who would all be getting letters ordering them to shut down. He didn't say whether penalties for continuing to operate would be criminal or civil. Now wouldn't be a bad time for you Thornton, Northglenn and Boulder folks to drop Polis a telephone call or email reminding him how important this issue is. Two weeks ago, Polis said he agreed with the 1000 foot rule. According to the Post, he "did not express outrage at the limited crackdown." It doesn't sound as if Walsh's plans are limited to the dispensaries who already received letters.

HOWEVER.....

Earlier today, President Obama appointed Walsh co-chair of the new Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force unit investigating mortgage fraud announced in the state of the union address. I have my fingers crossed this high-profile promotion will take Walsh far from Colorado. At the very least, it will occupy most of his attention.

[MEDEDCANNABIS]

I'd presume they would send a letter telling you close first, not just a warrant first. How does closing a dispensary make the feds money? And weren't the CA dispensaries open under George W Bush?

closing them doesnt, putting them in prison does. they were warned those that do not comply will be puished and made an example of. compliance and submission is whats expected of us. yes ca dispensaries were open during the bush munch campaign dont forget they were also getting raided, shut down and harrassed. more popped in their stead. its a numbers game for sure. little turtles trying to make it to the sea, uh oh here come the federal seagulls. they did send a letter with i believe 45 days to cease and desist. unusual move for the dea as normally youd hear, thud! down on the ground now.