Pubdate: Tue, 28 Feb 2012
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: John Ingold, The Denver Post

ALL TARGETED COLORADO MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES NEAR SCHOOLS SHUT DOWN,
FEDS SAY 

Federal prosecutors today announced that all of the Colorado 
medical-marijuana dispensaries targeted for operating near schools 
have halted marijuana sales as demanded.

Prosecutors sent the letters to certain dispensaries within 1,000 feet
of schools last month, warning them to close or face criminal or civil
punishment. It was the most aggressive action yet by federal
authorities against businesses that are legal under state law but
illegal under federal law.

Letters went to 23 dispensaries and to their landlords. Owners of 22
dispensaries have since decided to shutter those targeted locations -
either moving or closing for good. A letter to one dispensary was
rescinded after it was determined that the school building nearby was
not currently being used to educate children, the U.S. Attorney's
office said in an announcement.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents checked every dispensary for
compliance with the letters. According to the announcement, agents
entered five stores that were still open but determined those
businesses had stopped selling marijuana.

"The closure of the targeted dispensaries today," new Colorado DEA
Special Agent in Charge Barbra M. Roach said in a statement, "will
make those affected schools more secure for our children and teachers
throughout the State of Colorado."

Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh has said he wants to remove
dispensaries from around schools because he is worried about increased
youth use of marijuana and the impact the businesses have on kids'
attitudes toward the drug. Federal law contains enhanced penalties for
people who sell drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.

"These stores were closed without incident," Walsh said in a
statement. "This effort is about protecting children from illegal
drugs, and maintaining drug free zones around our schools in
compliance with federal law."

Prosecutors intend to send letters to more dispensaries that are
within 1,000 feet of a school "soon," according to today's
announcement.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.