Even as the state considers legalizing marijuana in an effort to increase tax revenues, the San Diego police have sent out a strong message that illegal drug-related activities will not be tolerated in the meantime. Last week, fourteen marijuana dispensaries were raided. A total of thirty one people were arrested, $700,000 in cash was seized, as well as six guns.
County officials assured the public that the raids were not intended to punish legal dispensaries, but to stop the proliferation of dispensaries that illegally deal narcotics.
“They’re doing so under the guise of helping people who are sick. But we’re not fooled and the public shouldn’t be fooled either,” District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis said.
Under state law, all dispensaries must be non-profit institutions. Recent estimates say there are around 60 marijuana dispensaries in San Diego, only a few of which are non-profit.
San Diego criminal lawyer James Warner believes many of the employees will not be prosecuted, as they may have been unaware that the dispensaries were operating outside the law.
For more information, please read the article in NBC LA’s news. Image Via Caveman 92223 [Flickr].