Pubdate: Thu, 24 Jan 2013
Source: Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Copyright: 2013 The Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sanluisobispo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391
Note: from the Associated Press

CALIF. POT DISPENSARY OWNER GETS 8 YEARS FROM FEDS

SAN DIEGO - A San Diego medical marijuana dispensary owner was
sentenced Thursday to more than eight years in prison for conspiracy
to distribute marijuana and other crimes, according to federal
prosecutors.

U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy called Joshua Hester the "poster boy" for
the types of marijuana dispensary operators the federal government is
targeting for criminal investigation.

"He was a convicted drug trafficker making millions of dollars selling
high-quality marijuana to recreational users and exploiting state laws
that were meant to help the seriously ill," Duffy said after Hester
was sentenced.

Hester sold the drugs at the Downtown Kush Lounge and Green Kross
Collective, Duffy said. Together, the clubs had more than 2,500
members. Through federal wiretaps, Drug Enforcement Administration
agents learned Hester was netting at least $10,000 a day at his pot
shops.

Hester also admitted in federal court that he has a 37-acre Palomar
Mountain property where he intended to grow marijuana.

Hester pleaded guilty to eight felonies Jan. 3. He was immediately
taken into custody after sentencing.

About 253 dispensaries in San Diego and Imperial counties have
received cease-and-desist letters from federal authorities. Duffy says
all but about a dozen dispensaries have closed on their own.

Less than two weeks ago, San Diego's new mayor, Bob Filner, ordered
local law enforcement and the city's prosecutor to back off of code
enforcement of the city's remaining pot dispensaries.

Filner has assured residents that access to medical marijuana will be
preserved and safeguards will keep the dispensaries away from children. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D