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shutting down his business. • They had more than 15 total in city, now limited to four by ordinance but control is not very strong. The fines are too small to control a lucrative business. • Most of the crime goes unreported because the users do not want to bring negative publicity to the dispensary. • The dispensaries have an underground culture associated with them. • At least one of the dispensaries had a doctor on the premises giving recommendations on site for a fee. • One location was a combination coffee shop and dispensary and marijuana was sold in baked goods and for smoking. • Dispensary management has told the police that they cannot keep the criminal element out. (Source) Rocklin P.D. report June 30, 2004: Five subjects were arrested by DEA following a CHP raid on a warehouse where 4,000 plants were found. The subjects claim that the plants were for a licensed dispensary. Police gave conflicting accounts of the incident; the CHP says it called on the DEA after Oakland police declined to help. Two defendants have pled not guilty to manufacturing charges bearing a 10-year to life sentence. March 16, 2006. DEA raids cannabis candy manufacturer, "Beyond Bomb," at three different East Bay sites, seizing over 5,000 plants, $150K cash, and the company's stash of cannabis candies & soda pop. (Source) http://www.canorml.org/news/fedMedical Marijuanacases.html One Department representative was willing to speak with me, but did not wish to be quoted for this report. They advised me of a recent carjacking. This event involved an owner and three employees of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. None of the four could agree on any fact relating to the case other than while property of the dispensary was stolen, no Marijuana or cash was taken. This leads us to believe that either a large quantity of Marijuana or cash was the target of the attack. 21 PLACENTIA Temporary ban on medical marijuana sale proposed The 45-day moratorium would allow city staff to study ways to regulate marijuana distributors By SUSHMA SUBRAMANIAN Excerpts from the article The Orange County Register Friday, August 11, 2006 Placentia --The City Council on Tuesday plans to establish a 45-day moratorium on launching medical marijuana dispensaries. The effort was prompted by two recent cases involving the sale of marijuana. In May, police confiscated 15 mature marijuana plants from a man who was distributing the drug from his residence without a permit. City staff also received an inquiry about setting up a dispensary in Placentia. Several California cities that have medical marijuana dispensaries have experienced an increase in crime, including resale of marijuana to people who don't have prescriptions and burglaries at the businesses, a city staff report says. "You don't want become the hotbed for medical marijuana sales," Mayor Scott Brady said. "If you don't set up the proper proper rules and regulations, then you become the capital of fill in the blank -marijuana sales or massage parlors." Eight massage parlors were operating in the city in March 2005, when the city set up stricter rules for massage therapists to show proof of certification. Many residents complained about illicit activity at the establishments. Since then, about half of the businesses have been shut down. Source http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1241289.php PLEASANTON The City of Pleasanton does not have any dispensaries operating in Pleasanton, whether legally or illegally. Pleasanton has a moratorium on dispensaries in place, has not prepared any reports on a ban, and staff will request that Council extend the moratorium for another 12 months. In support of the moratorium, the following health /safety /welfare information was cited; Juveniles in Pleasanton found with marijuana which was re-sold to them after having been obtained from a dispensary. A dispensary employee was the victim victim of a robbery at his home after he brought more than $100,000.00 in cash from a Medical Marijuana Dispensary back to his home to Pleasanton. (Source Larissa Seto Assistant City Attorney) ROSEVILLE: • Street level dealers trying to sell to those going to the dispensary at a lower price • People are smoking marijuana in public around the facility • People coming to the community from out of town and out of state to obtain Marijuana (Nevada State, San Joaquin County, etc) • Marijuana DUI by people who have obtained from dispensary • At least one burglary attempt into building 22 (Source Rocklin P.D. report) On January 13, 2006 the proprietor of the Roseville’s Medical Marijuana Dispensary was indicated by a Federal Grand Jury on 19 counts of marijuana trafficking and money laundering. The indictment alleges that in an eight month period the defendant made approximately $2,750,849.00 from the sale of Medical Marijuana and of that figure $356,130.00 was traced to money laundering activities. The U.S. Attorney handling the case stated, “This case is a perfect example of a person using Medical Marijuana as a smokescreen to hide his true agenda, which is to line his pockets with illegal drug money.” (Source Press release California State Attorney Generals Office) SACRAMENTO Sacramento has four dispensaries. Relatively few crimes other than at least two burglary attempts. Most of the complaints came to the council via citizens regarding quality of life issues i.e. loitering, traffic and use of marijuana in or near the dispensaries. July 7, 2005. The director of Alternative Specialties Specialties dispensary, charged by feds following raid by Sacramento County Sheriff that uncovered two indoor gardens with an alleged 800 plants. Sheriffs say the subject had a criminal record for embezzlement and failed to file for a business license. He was charged with the manufacture of marijuana and illegal possession of weapons. (Source http://www.canorml.org/news/fedMedical Marijuanacases.html) SAN DIEGO Armed Men Rob Pot From Medical Marijuana Store Posted by Pierre Werner on August 1, 2005 10:41 am (110 reads) SAN DIEGO --Two men armed with a shotgun and rifle stole drugs from a Medical Marijuana store on Sunday, police said. The robbers went into Tender Holistic Care in the 2100 block of El Cajon Boulevard at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday. They took an unspecified amount of marijuana from the store and fled in a late model Isuzu Rodeo or Trooper with tinted windows, according to witnesses. The car was last seen heading east on El Cajon Boulevard, police said. Source: http://medicalmarijuanareferrals.com/modules/news/in dex.php?storytopic=0&start=420& PHPSESSID=0c8a52777fa2204f4874a268edd4f580 Dec 12, 2005 -Interagency task force raids 13 of 19 San Diego dispensaries. Task force led by DEA with state police. Raids conducted under state, not federal search warrant. No arrests, investigation ongoing. (Source http://www.canorml.org/news/fedMedical Marijuanacases.html) 23 July 7, 2006: Medical Marijuana dispensaries charged with drug trafficking ALLISON HOFFMAN Associated Press (Excerpts from the Article) Federal prosecutors accused six people Thursday of illegally trafficking pot under the cover of California's Medical Marijuana. "They made thousands of dollars every day," Lam said. "Their motive was not the betterment of society. Their motive was profit." Prosecutors alleged that these dispensaries sold marijuana or marijuana-based products with little concern for legitimate medical need. "The party is over," District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said at a news conference with federal prosecutors. She added that Proposition 215, the ballot measure that legalized marijuana for medical purposes, has been "severely abused by neighborhood pot dealers opening up storefronts." Complaints from residents living near dispensaries precipitated an investigation beginning in September 2005 by the San Diego police, the county sheriff's department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Dumanis said. The San Diego County District Attorney's office released a complaint sent last week to the state medical board against four physicians alleging that they wrote "recommendations" for Medical Marijuana use -doctor's notes required by state law -to apparently healthy individuals. (Source: Http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/14982395.htm) City hopes to close legal pot dispensary (Excerpts from the Article) July 8, 2006 By Linda Lou UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER SAN MARCOS – An existing medical-marijuana dispensary here survived a City Council vote in February that banned any more dispensaries from opening. It was able to receive a business license because it called itself a nutritional supplement store, city officials said. But the dispensary's ability to remain open is now uncertain. Now the city is intent on shutting down the business, run by Legal Ease Inc. of San Diego, because it's been burglarized several times since the council's vote, said City Manager Rick Gittings. The The city contends it's a threat to the community's health, safety and welfare, violating the provisions the city imposed in February when it allowed the dispensary to stay open, Gittings said. The concept of providing Medical Marijuana to patients who really need it has good intentions, but as indicated by state and federal prosecutors this week, Medical Marijuana dispensaries are fronts for drug peddling, Gittings said. The letter said that another business near the dispensary's current location was burglarized because it was mistaken for the dispensary. The letter also said Legal Ease had failed at least once to submit security tapes of its premises and has failed to reveal what was stolen in the burglaries. Sgt. Gary Floyd, supervisor of San Marcos' street narcotics and gang unit, said he's not aware that Legal Ease had talked with the Sheriff's Department about relocating. He said that after some recent early-morning burglaries, the dispensary installed roll-up metal security covers over the door and window because thieves had smashed the glass to get inside. In Thursday's raid, dozens of candy bars and cartons of ice cream containing THC, a marijuana byproduct, were confiscated, Floyd said. Bags of packaged marijuana and larger bags of the drug used to refill the smaller ones were also taken, he said. No one was arrested. In December, a federal drug agent said he was able to purchase marijuana at the site with a forged doctor's recommendation. (Source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20060708-9999-1mi8smmari.html) 24 SAN FRANCISO May 14, 2005--In a daring home-invasion robbery at around 10PM, the house of the owner of Alternative Health and Healing Services at 442 Haight St was robbed of several pounds of cannabis and the dispensary keys. Details are sketchy, but it is believed that the robbers burst into the owner's home at gunpoint. More on this story as details are known. (Source) http://www.hempevolution.org/thc/dispensary_robbed040514.htm June 23, 2005 3 S.F. pot clubs raided in probe of organized crime (Excerpts from the Article) Medical Marijuana dispensaries used as front for money laundering, authorities say. Federal authorities raided three San Francisco Medical Marijuana dispensaries Wednesday, and investigators arrested at least 13 people as part of an alleged organized crime operation using the clubs as a front to launder money. Authorities said…..that the operation controlled at least 10 warehouses where marijuana was grown in large quantities and that those involved were bringing in millions of dollars. One warehouse in Oakland that federal agents raided earlier this month was capable of growing $3 million worth of marijuana annually, investigators said. The marijuana ostensibly was for cannabis clubs, but the amount being grown was far more than needed to supply the dispensaries, authorities said. (Source) http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/06/23/MNGRODDG321.DTL. Dec. 20, 2005 -DEA raids HopeNet Cooperative after first raiding home of HopeNet directors Steve and Catherine Smith. No arrests. Agents seize cash, medicine, a few hundred small indoor plants, mostly cuttings and clones. (Source) http://www.canorml. org/news/fedMedical Marijuanacases.html June 27, 2006: Medical Marijuana dispensary robbed during S.F. Gay Pride Parade Adam Martin San Francisco Examiner Thieves apparently took advantage of Sunday’s 36th Annual San Francisco Gay Pride Parade and Celebration to commit this year’s second robbery of a Medical Marijuana dispensary. According to police and the club’s proprietor, two two men entered Emmalyn's California Cannabis Clinic at 1597 Howard St. about 1:30 p.m. Sunday. They held up the clerk and stole cash and inventory while most of the staff was handing out fliers at the Gay Pride Parade. Sunday’s holdup marked The City’s second pot club robbery of the year. The Purple Heart dispensary at 1326 Grove St. was robbed Feb. 3, San Francisco Police Lt. John Loftus said. There were four such robberies in 2005, Loftus said. Loftus said clubs are attractive to thieves because “it’s a big cash business, and marijuana is expensive.” The two men who robbed the dispensary had been in about an hour prior to the crime and bought some marijuana. When they returned, Baumgartner said, “they put a gun to my clerk’s head, had him lie down on the floor, then they robbed him and the store. He said the crime was captured on security cameras, whose tapes will be reviewed in the investigation. (Source) http://www.hempevolu tion.org/media/examiner/e060627.htm 25 SAN JOSE Murder in a Head Shop (Excerpts from the Article) Will David Cruz's killer ever be found? By William Dean Hinton ON MAY 10, right around 8:30pm, Jonathan Cruz dropped in on his brother at the Rainbow Smoke Shop on West San Carlos Street. Shortly after Jonathan departed, someone walked into the shop and killed David Cruz with a single bullet wound to the back of his head, just above the left ear. No money was taken from the register, and the store wasn't ransacked. The killing was essentially the end of Andrew's shop. After 10 years as owner, she was afraid to be in her own store. She began carrying a .38 with hollow-point bullets and closed the Rainbow's doors two hours earlier than before David's death. David Cruz's killer, meanwhile, has never been identified. The Cruz case is approaching the nine month mark with no credible theory why David was shot. (Source http://equalrights4all.us/content/view/192/50 /) SAN LEADRO San Leandro does not have any Medical Marijuana Dispensaries within their City Limits. They do however have employees of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries from other jurisdictions living in their city. June 19, 2005: Suspects enter an unoccupied residence of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary employee taking jewelry and $10,000.00 in cash. June 28, 2005: Suspects return to the same residence and begin to force entry when they are confronted by the resident and flee before any loss is sustained. September 20, 2005: A receptionist of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary was accosted by a lone suspect as she walked from her vehicle to her house. The receptionist was able to get into her home and call police before the robbery was completed. October 26, 2005: A Detective on routine patrol observes a suspicious circumstance and stops two subjects. The stop results in the arrest of the subjects for robbery and possession of stolen property. The house the suspects were watching was the home of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary employee. December 19, 2005: The same receptionist (9/20/05 event) is robbed as she walks from her vehicle to her home. The suspects took a bag containing receipts from the Medical Marijuana Dispensary (Paperwork only, no cash) (Source Mark Decoulode San Leandro PD) 26 SANTA BARBARA MEDICAL MARIJUANA SHOP ROBBED: By Indy Staff, August 10, 2006 The first reported armed robbery of a Medical Marijuana distribution center took place at Santa Barbara Hydroponics, 3128 State Street. Owner Jack Poet said he has been robbed three times before but never reported the earlier robberies because “Medical Marijuana is such a controversial issue.” Poet said the robber in his thirties, 160 pounds, with red hair and a goatee walked away with $30 cash and 15 small display baggies of marijuana. By Indy Staff | August 10, 2006 | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks (Source http://www.independent.com/news/2006/08/medical_marijuana_shop_robbed.html SANTA CRUZ Four men sought in home robberies Santa Cruz Sentinel Santa Cruz, CA Dec 13, 2004 --Santa Cruz Police are asking for the public’s help in finding four armed men who took marijuana grown for medicinal uses and electronics from two separate houses on Clay Street. Around 1 a.m. Sunday, a white, Asian and possibly two black males — all wearing masks and dark clothing — broke into two residences, rounded up their tenants, held them at gunpoint and ransacked their homes, all while demanding drugs and cash. Two of the victims were battered during the robbery. One of the suspects fired a single shot from a handgun when one of the victims tried to escape. No one was shot. http://www.hempevolution.org/media/daily_review/dr050824.htm SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Capitola 2004: Three suspects entered the victim’s home armed with a handgun in search of the residents Medical Marijuana grow. The resident and two guests were ordered to the floor. During the robbery the resident was shot and stabbed but managed to fight off the suspects who fled prior to the arrival of the responding Deputies. Live Oaks October 1, 2005: Four suspects attempted to conduct a home invasion robbery of a home cultivator of Medical Marijuana. The homeowner fired a shotgun at the suspects who fled and were later captured by police following a vehicle pursuit and crash. Ben Lomond March 5, 2006: Two suspects who identified themselves as “Police” forced their way into the victim’s residence. The victim was assaulted, robbed and left tied up in his residence until the next day when he was discovered. Subsequent investigation revealed that the motive for the robbery was the victims Medical Marijuana supply. 27 SANTA ROSA May 29, 2002 Federal agents raided a Medical Marijuana buyers club here Wednesday and arrested two people. A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman said two addresses were searched, including the club near downtown. Marijuana, cash, a car and a weapon were seized. (Source) http://cannabisnews.com/news/12/thread12999.shtml September 29, 2004 The father of the owner of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary was followed home from the dispensary and robbed at gunpoint in front of his residence. The owner of the club believed that his business was being “cased” and that “further robberies were eminent.” January 25, 2005 Suspects force entry into a closed Medical Marijuana Dispensary and burglarize the business taking three pounds of Marijuana and cash. March 3, 2005 Suspects forced entry into a Medical Marijuana Dispensary a stole a laptop computer, Marijuana and smoking paraphernalia. April 15, 2005 Employees of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary were robbed by a suspect armed with a shotgun as they were closing the business. The suspect stole a “duffle bag” of Marijuana. April 18, 2005 Suspects forced entry into a closed Medical Marijuana Dispensary and stole a digital scale. April 19, 2005 Suspects forced entry into a Medical Marijuana Dispensary and stolen one half pound of marijuana. Mar 17, 2006 Suspects forced entry into a closed Medical Marijuana Dispensary, loss unknown at this time. (Source) Lt. Briggs Santa Rosa P.D. The Vice unit has been involved in the investigation of the following Medical Marijuana Dispensary related crimes; • A homicide, during a residential robbery where the suspects sought Marijuana cultivated for a dispensary. • Four residential robberies, where the suspects sought Marijuana cultivated for a dispensary. • Twelve cases where individuals were cultivating Marijuana for dispensaries, but were found to be operating outside Medical Marijuana guidelines and in a “for profit” status. Each of these cases resulted in the arrest of the cultivators and disposition is pending. 28 • Instances where undercover officers have found subjects buying Marijuana from Medical Marijuana Dispensaries under the guise of Medical Marijuana and then reselling the Marijuana to non Medical Marijuana users. (Source) Sgt. Steve Fraga Santa Rosa P.D. SONOMA COUNTY A subject was arrested May 9, 2001 while growing for himself and other patients; convicted by a jury of cultivating more than 100 plants on Feb 11, 2002; sentenced to 5 yrs probation; He was re-arrested July 31, 2002 for cultivating while on probation. Convicted and sentenced to 44 months for growing 920 plants Dec 19, 2002. Released on bail April 2004; awaiting sentencing post-Raich 2005. The proprietor of Genesis 1:29 club in Petaluma was arrested Sept 13, 2002. Agents uprooted 3,454 plants at the club's garden in Sebastopol. The suspect pled guilty July 2003; sentenced to 41 months, July 2005. Information provided by: (Source) http://www.canorml.o rg/news/fedMedical Marijuanacases.html Friday, February 17, 2006 at 12:13, PM Commercial marijuana operation shut down. On 2/16/05, the Sonoma County Narcotic Task Force, SCNTF, and the County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team, COMMET completed an investigation involving a large-scale commercial marijuana growing operation. At the first residence on Little Creek Rd., agents located a marijuana growing operation where "starter" plants were being cultivated. These plants would eventually be moved to the larger grow rooms as they matured. As agents collected evidence, Kenneth D. Brenner, 57 yrs, of Annapolis arrived at the residence. When agents contacted Brenner, they located grow equipment in the bed of his truck. He was detained and returned to his residence. At Brenner's residence, agents seized numerous firearms. Agents also seized an AK47, a Colt AR15, and a .308 sniper rifle. Additional documents linking Brenner to the growing operation were seized. The indoor grow operation included 4 buildings which were located approximately a quarter of a mile off Annapolis Rd. in the thick brush. The The grow buildings ranged from 100'X 30' to 30'x 20'. The buildings were constructed of plywood, with the exteriors painted black, and concealed under the thick canopy of trees. The plants were growing in a hydroponics type system, under approximately 120 high intensity lights. The lighting equipment alone is valued at $48,000.00. Agents located a camouflaged, insulated concrete bunker which housed a 125KW diesel generator. This generator was seized and valued at approximately $75,000.00. The total number of plants was approximately 1700. Agents determined the plants when harvested would yield approximately 50 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana would have a street value of $150,000.00. As agents continued their searching, they seized over 3,000 live rounds of ammunition in one of the grow buildings. The ammunition matched the same type of assault rifles seized at Brenner's residence. Agents then discovered numerous metal military type ammunition cans hidden in the area. When the cans were opened, the agents agents discovered 22 solid bars of silver, and antique silver coins. The bars each weighed 9ozs., with an estimated value of $30,000.00. The Drug Enforcement Administration was contacted to consider the adoption of this case on a federal level. 29 Mr. Brenner was released at his residence. The case will be under further review by the United States Attorney's Office. For further information contact Detective Sergeant Chris Bertoli at (707) 565-5441. Prepared by Detective Sergeant Chris Bertoli. Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 12:18, PM $600,000 in marijuana seized. On 1/4/06, the Sonoma County Narcotics Task Force completed a three month investigation involving the sales of methamphetamine in the City of Cloverdale. Through the use of undercover purchases, Task Force Agents identified a residence on South Cloverdale Boulevard as the source of methamphetamine. When agents served a search warrant at the residence, they located 212 pounds of manicured marijuana. The marijuana had been concealed in various locations on the property. Along with the marijuana, agents seized a half ounce of "crystal" methamphetamine, a scale, packaging material, and pay/owe records. As agents continued their search, they located an AK-47 assault rifle with 3 fully loaded 30 round magazines next to the rifle. A stolen sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun, 2 additional rifles, and one loaded semi-automatic handgun were also located in the same location. While searching the residence, agents encountered three children living at the residence with their parents. The ages of the children were 6,7, and 8 years. As agents searched, they discovered approximately 3 pounds of marijuana within the same room as the children were discovered sleeping. The estimated street value of the marijuana is $636,000.00 dollars. The methamphetamine is valued at $450.00. For further information contact Detective Sergeant Chris Bertoli at (707) 565-5441. Prepared by Detective Sergeant Chris Bertoli. (Source www.sonomasheriff.org) STANISLAUS COUNTY Lack of cash, risk to kids and more crime discussed (Excerpts from the Article) By ROGER W. HOSKINS BEE STAFF WRITER Last Updated: August 23, 2006, 03:14:33 AM PDT Law enforcement officials compared the battle against methamphetamine to the war on terrorism and warned that American children were far more at risk to drugs. Wasden said any task force needed to set its sights on the real window that widens the drug trade generation after generation. "Nobody starts with methamphetamines," said Wasden. "Our youth are being confused by the mixed messages we are sending and we need to send youth a core message that marijuana is a drug." From marijuana to meth: Officer after officer offered their witness and belief that the people buying medicinal marijuana in Stanislaus County were neither sick nor afflicted. In their collective view, medicinal marijuana was a Smokescreen for recreational use. Sheriff's Sgt. Bob Hunt, a member of the Stanislaus Drug enforcement Agency, offered a frightening picture of the marijuana-meth link. "We have people buying $300,000 and $400,000 homes and they aren't moving in furniture but grow lights," said Hunt. "They are careful not to have more than 12 plants or sell more than $10,000 at a time. "They are using the marijuana profits to fund their meth meth operations. 30 We arrested one young dealer and he owned nine properties in Patterson." Cardoza called on the officers present to wage and win the public relations war on marijuana. "I voted against the federal bill to legalize pot," said Cardoza. "I'm bucking the public sentiment. I get 200 letters a year from people who want the United States to back off. I don't get any from people who want us to enforce the federal marijuana ban." So, he added, "It's up to you (officers) to educate the public." (Source) http://www.modbee.com/local/story/12623637p-13328561c.html TEHEMA COUNTY Two subjects were indicted by federal grand jury on Jan 8, 2004 after trying to assert Medical Marijuana defense in state court. Arrested with 100s of small seedlings, 33 mature plants, and a few pounds of processed marijuana in Red Bluff and Oakland. Defendants say they were for personal use. The Tehama DA turned the case over to the feds while pretending to negotiate a deal with their attorneys. Denied a Raich defense by Judge England. (Source) http://www.canorml.org/news/fedMedical Marijuanacases.html TRINITY COUNTY A subject and his wife were arrested in 2003 for a sizable outdoors grow; they were rearrested the next year after deliberately replanting another garden in public view. While awaiting trial, they were arrested once again, this time for a personal use garden of approximately ten plants. (Source) http://www.canorml.org/news/fedMedical Marijuanacases.html TUSTIN After a Medical Marijuana Dispensary opened, undercover officers conducted an investigation in the business. During the service of a search warrant, 25 pounds of marijuana was seized and the dispensary was shut down. The District Attorney still has not made a decision as to whether to file charges or not. (Source) Scott Jordan Tustin PD UKAIH Over the last four years, the City of Ukiah has experienced an increase in crimes related to the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. They are four Dispensaries in town as well as several citizens growing Marijuana for the purpose of providing providing Marijuana to dispensaries. There have been approximately ten robberies of either dispensaries or private