It has been a bad year for those in the marijuana industry in California. Perhaps to fight the "War on Drugs" or perhaps to win political favor in an election cycle, federal authorities have been aggressively pursuing marijuana dispensaries and pot growers statewide as the difference between state and federal laws on the drug rages on.
The Los Angeles Times reports that seven people were recently arrested in a Ventura drug case where authorities allege people were running a marijuana plantation.
The newspaper also reports that a judge recently ruled in San Diego that pot dispensaries can be evicted; many cases have been coming up where U.S. Attorneys are threatening landlords to evict these legitimate businesses as a scare tactic.
Ventura criminal defense lawyers find it appalling that more than a decade after California passed a law making the drug legal for medicinal purposes, federal authorities are now trying to shut down businesses and trample the rights of patients and growers. State and federal law has differed for years, but now that it's convenient politically, it has come into focus.
Many people make their living selling this drug to help people who have bad illnesses and diseases. With unemployment soaring as it has, especially in this state, jobs shouldn't be threatened or taken away at such a tough time.
In Ventura County, authorities allege seven men were running the marijuana operation after they found 130 pounds of marijuana plants drying near Pyramid Lake. Deputies were on patrol in the area and found a campsite on a hillside.
Irrigation tubes were connected to a nearby creek, sheriff's deputies said. Land had been cleared and terraced for the marijuana to be grown. Deputies found food, sleeping bags and other materials.
They then followed footprints leading to the seven men, who were at a cliff side when deputies found them. Authorities believe they were trying to flee but ran out of room to run.
A San Diego judge has ruled that pot dispensaries aren't legal anywhere in that city because of zoning laws. A Superior Court judge ruled that private companies can evict marijuana dispensaries from their buildings legally.
In recent years, San Diego's city council passed a zoning ordinance allowing medical marijuana dispensaries. But activists thought it was too restrictive, so they put together a petition to have the issue put to a vote. Instead, the council rescinded the ordinance, outlawing the dispensaries.
In recent weeks, federal authorities have tried to convince landlords to evict the dispensary businesses to force the issue. Marijuana supporters have filed lawsuits and plan to file temporary restraining orders to stop the court ruling.
Even though many of these businesses are legit under California law, federal authorities are trying to crack down, which can lead to drug charges. These must be fought aggressively so that authorities can't try to make an example out of people who did little wrong other than follow state law.
If you are facing drug charges in Valencia, Ventura, Encino or the Los Angeles area, contact the Law Offices of Daniel E. Kann, a Southern California Criminal Defense Firm. Call 888-744-7730 or contact us through this website for a free consultation.
More Blog Entries:
Child Abuse, Drugs, Cockfighting Alleged in Los Angeles Search Warrant Case: October 27, 2011
Alleged Pill Mills Shut Down in Encino After Los Angeles Search Warrant: September 5, 2011
Additional Resources:
Seven Arrested at Ventura County pot farm, by Sam Quinones, Los Angeles Times
San Diego pot dispensaries can be evicted, judge rules, by Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times
