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MMJ outlets stay open; Locals regulating sales PDF Print E-mail
Written by Richard Lee   
MMJ outlets stay open;
Locals regulating sales

One month after the Gonzalez v. Raich decision, more than 150 medical marijuana outlets continue to operate without federal interference.
    The day after the ruling the Alameda County Public Safety Committee voted to issue permits to three dispensaries in the unincorporated areas of the county. Sheriff Charles Plummer promised that the DEA would not shut down any of his well-regulated and tax paying dispensaries. Since federal agencies rely on having good relations with local agencies, there is a powerful incentive for the two to get along.


After Raich, cannabis dispensaries continue to operate across state
    Oakland has reissued four cannabis dispensary permits and will collect $80,000 in annual permit fees plus business and sales taxes that could exceed $250,000 this year alone.
    While San Francisco police did get assistance from the DEA June 22 to close three dispensaries that had a long history of run-in’s with local police, the City is working on regulations for the remaining 40 cannabis outlets currently operating there. After raiding the three clubs, the DEA announced to the press that the clubs were being prosecuted primarily for failure to pay taxes, not for medical marijuana sales.
    Another apparently isolated raid in Sacramento came July 7 on the heels of nuisance complaints against a dispensary there. Americans for Safe Access and other groups held protests against both raids, accusing law enforcement of violating California patients’ right to obtain cannabis.
    Meanwhile, a medical marijuana retailer reopened its doors recently while fighting a LA police intrusion into West Hollywood’s jurisdiction. No criminal charges have been filed against them since the early May raid, when a commercial quantity of cannabis was seized.
    The State Board of Equalization is expected to rule this fall on how and when sales tax is to be collected on medical marijuana.
 
R.I. Senate moves MMJ
Rhode Island lawmakers took a Senate vote 28 to 6 to override the governor’s veto of medical marijuana legislation.
    The House agreed to an override vote, but had not voted by press time.
 
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