DEA and Pot Busts

Posted on August 4, 2008
Filed Under Criminal Law, Drugs, News |

In a truly intriguing development, Drug Enforcement Administration agents busted a Culver City medical marijuana dispensary on the same day an appellate court in San Diego ruled that federal law does not preempt California’s medical pot law.

Drug laws in California differ from drug laws enforced by federal agents, which usually leads to stress between the two states.  Attorneys who are successful in defending those brought up on drug charges in California have to be experienced and knowledgeable of the ever changing laws.

The bust of the medical marijuana dispensary happened in Culver City, just outside the bounds of The City of Los Angeles, which further complicated matters.  The owners of the dispensary claimed they were following the law, although the law they claimed to be following was of California.  The drug laws of the federal government tend to be far more conservative in nature.  California allows medical forms of marijuana to be dispensed by licensed individuals. 

As far as the court decision,  supporters of California’s medical marijuana law touted the decision by the appellate court in San Diego as a significant win.  Drug penalties vary, because there are different penalties for use, possession, growing, transporting and selling drugs.  Some charges are misdemeanors, others are felonies, and the penalties can be anything from a relatively small fine to serious time in jail.

Written by Joe M

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