Mar 26, 2009 12:35 am US/Pacific
Drug Agents Raid SF Medical Marijuana Clinic
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
-
-
DEA agents raided Emmalyn's California Cannabis Clinic on Howard Street in San Francisco on Wednesday.
CBS
One week after President Barack Obama's top law enforcement official seemed to indicate the feds would no longer raid pot clubs, DEA agents busted a medical marijuana facility in San Francisco Wednesday night.
As agents carried large plastic containers of marijuana plants out of Emmalyn's California Cannabis Clinic at 1597 Howard Street, a small crowd of protesters formed a gauntlet outside the door, booing the agents and chanting, "our medicine is marijuana … listen to Obama!"
DEA spokeswoman Casey McEnry told CBS 5 the documents regarding the raid are sealed, so the DEA was not able to give any details.
"Based on our investigation we believe there are not only violations of federal law, but state law as well," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams in a written statement.
Emmalyn's has a provisional permit from the city, according to Eileen Shields, spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, which she said is an indication the club is in good standing with city laws.
Brendan Hallanin, the pot club's attorney, said Emmalyn's is in compliance with state and local laws.
"They are well-respected and have a good reputation in the medical marijuana community," said Hallanin, who added the business has never been raided in its five year existence.
Hallanin said the DEA would not tell him why the club was being busted.
"They're going to have a huge fight on their hands if they're arbitrarily busting clubs that are in compliance with state and local laws," said Hallanin.
Kris Hermes, spokesperson for Americans for Safe Access, a national advocacy group for medical marijuana issues, wants the attorney general to explain the DEA's actions.
"We're shocked that after the Attorney General has made repeated statements that raids on California medical cannibis dispensaries would be suspended that we are seeing a continuation of that policy," said Hermes.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Live: Streaming Hi-Def Doppler | Interactive Doppler
CBS 5 WeatherCenter: Current Conditions, Forecast
Click to enlarge
Entangled Skunk Freed In Smelly Aptos Rescue 32 mins ago
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments