Medical Marijuana: New Federal Drug Crime Push

On behalf of David Lindsey, Attorney at Law posted in Federal Drug Crimes on Friday, October 7, 2011.

CNN is announcing a new federal drug crimes initiative by various United States Attorneys offices in California. According to reports, the Federal Government intends to begin using various federal prosecution tools to target the “large, for-profit marijuana industry”. The article states: “Four U.S. attorneys — Benjamin Wanger, Andre Birotte Jr., Laura Duffy and Melinda Haag — detailed in a joint press release steps they had taken in conjunction with federal law enforcement and local officials in California.”

The enforcement actions apparently will include:” civil forfeiture lawsuits against properties involved in drug trafficking activity,” letters of warning to landlords and lien holders of places in which marijuana is being sold illegally and several criminal cases. The CNN article is here. http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/07/justice/california-marijuana/

This is a disturbing development from an administration headed by a president who campaigned in 2008 for the federal legalization of marijuana. It is unclear how this new initiative will play out in Colorado. Colorado has a much more regulated medical marijuana industry than California, but the language of the US Attorneys press release is very concerning for dispensary owners here in Colorado. Another concern is the vast amount of resources likely to be spent by the federal government prosecuting an issue the voters of various states have voted for.

More information about federal prosecutions of drug crimes can be found on my website.