Pubdate: Mon, 14 Jul 2014
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2014 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/625HdBMl
Website: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Author: Trevor Hughes

POTS OF MARIJUANA CASH CAUSE SECURITY CONCERNS

DENVER - The unmarked armored truck rumbles to a stop in a narrow
alley, and former U.S. Marine Matthew Karr slides out, one hand
holding a folder, the other hovering near the pistol holstered at his
hip.

With efficient motions he retrieves a locked, leather-bound satchel
from a safe set into the truck's side and presses a buzzer outside the
door. It swings open to reveal a cavernous warehouse filled with
marijuana and a safe stuffed with cash.

Welcome to the rear guard of Colorado's rapidly expanding legal
marijuana industry, where eager users pour millions of dollars - most
of it in small bills - into buying pot, hashish, and marijuana-infused
foods and drinks. All that cash adds up, and there are few places to
put it: Federal regulations, which still classify pot as an illegal
drug, make it difficult for marijuana producers to deposit their
profits into traditional bank accounts.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D