on July 29, 2013
By
ZUSHA ELINSON
and
JOEL MILLMAN
CONNECT
Federal raids of Washington state medical-marijuana dispensaries this week are raising concerns among state officials and entrepreneurs that recreational-marijuana may be similarly targeted when the market opens in the state early next year.
Drug Enforcement Administration spokeswoman Jodie Underwood said agents executed several search warrants involving "marijuana storefronts" Wednesday, but she declined to comment on why they were targeted or whether recreational pot shops might get the same treatment.
A person familiar with the raids said agents went after four medical-marijuana dispensaries related to a 2011 investigation into allegations of money laundering and illicit marijuana sales.
Residents in Colorado and Washington voted to legalize recreational marijuana last year. But federal authorities haven't said how they will address these new state-regulated markets for marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law. Washington and other states allow medical marijuana, but this is also illegal under federal law, and federal authorities have raided dispensaries around the country.
Washington officials said this week after the raids that they were pushing forward with plans to permit recreational-marijuana production facilities and retail shops. But in light of the raids, coming months before the state rules on recreational marijuana take effect, state officials reiterated the need for guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice.
"We would welcome clarity from the federal government on how they expect to address Washington state's emerging recreational system," said Brian Smith, a spokesman for the Washington State Liquor Control Board, which has been charged with regulating legal pot. "With a lack of clarity, you're always operating in an area of risk."
http://online.wsj.com/article
/SB10001424127887324564704578628091106864854.html
ZUSHA ELINSON
and
JOEL MILLMAN
CONNECT
Federal raids of Washington state medical-marijuana dispensaries this week are raising concerns among state officials and entrepreneurs that recreational-marijuana may be similarly targeted when the market opens in the state early next year.
Drug Enforcement Administration spokeswoman Jodie Underwood said agents executed several search warrants involving "marijuana storefronts" Wednesday, but she declined to comment on why they were targeted or whether recreational pot shops might get the same treatment.
A person familiar with the raids said agents went after four medical-marijuana dispensaries related to a 2011 investigation into allegations of money laundering and illicit marijuana sales.
Residents in Colorado and Washington voted to legalize recreational marijuana last year. But federal authorities haven't said how they will address these new state-regulated markets for marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law. Washington and other states allow medical marijuana, but this is also illegal under federal law, and federal authorities have raided dispensaries around the country.
Washington officials said this week after the raids that they were pushing forward with plans to permit recreational-marijuana production facilities and retail shops. But in light of the raids, coming months before the state rules on recreational marijuana take effect, state officials reiterated the need for guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice.
"We would welcome clarity from the federal government on how they expect to address Washington state's emerging recreational system," said Brian Smith, a spokesman for the Washington State Liquor Control Board, which has been charged with regulating legal pot. "With a lack of clarity, you're always operating in an area of risk."
http://online.wsj.com/article
/SB10001424127887324564704578628091106864854.html
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