Pubdate: Fri, 02 Dec 2011
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2011 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.signonsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

'MEDICAL' POT CRACKDOWN: WELCOME PROGRESS

The efforts of U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy to crack down on medical 
marijuana dispensaries in San Diego County appear to be working.

Through the end of last week, 139 of the 222 dispensaries in the 
county have closed their doors in response to letters sent to the 
outlets and their landlords threatening prosecution and property 
seizure, federal officials have said. And 20 more are expected to 
close in the next two weeks.

That is to be commended.

The dispensaries, which mushroomed after California legalized 
marijuana use for medical purposes 15 years ago, sell the vast 
majority of their product to recreational drug users skirting the law 
rather than to patients who might legitimately receive medicinal 
benefits. They remain illegal under federal law. And, in San Diego, 
they all violate zoning laws  which is why we also support City 
Attorney Jan Goldsmith's efforts in civil court to shut them down.

We are given pause, however, by the thoughts of Alex Kreit, who 
headed the city's now-disbanded task force on medical marijuana. 
Kreit, a professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, told the 
U-T that the outlets still operating after receiving the warning 
letters are probably assuming there will be few actual prosecutions 
and are willing to take their chances flouting the law.

If he is correct, the U.S. attorney must not allow her threats to be 
shown hollow.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom