420 Patient/Bud Tender

I became a 420 patient around 2011 or 2012. The cannabis industry interested me prior to receiving a recommendation to medicate. In 2013 I applied for my first bud tending job at a brand new local dispensary. My co workers and managers provided me with so much knowledge not only about the flower its self and bud tending edict, but also the industry and the legal parts of it all.

The laws were changing on the amount of shops were allowed in each city. Local shops were getting shut down by Feds left and right. It was harder to even retain a business license from cities, because a lot of cities in California were still against Prop 215. Regardless if they were following the state laws to remain open for 420 patients, including having a valid business license to operate in that city, it became apparent that shops didn't lasting long.

I had bud tended at about 8 shops throughout the year, two shops at a time helping out, or changing around when a new one was opened or a shop is shut down.
I was helping out temporarily in a location in the city of Bellflower. One afternoon, I was bud tending 3 older women suffering from cancer and had never been inside of a dispensary. They were just about to make their donation for their medicine and 3 cops order our security to evacuate us from the bud room. After questions were asked, they cited, myself as well as my managers, with a ticket for operating a medical dispensary without a valid business license.

I have never been in trouble with the law so I was completely shocked at how severe this misdomeaner ticket was. My court date appears a few months later, the reality hit me when i thought i could call and change the date due to having to go to work, and they inform me it's mandatory to appear in court or a warrant will be out for my arrest. I appear in court and the attorney the company said they had, didn't show up for us, but had one appointed to us. For multiple court appearances i was alone and scared watching the people with the different cases before me be sent to jail. After I was stressed out from the whole situation, in conclusion, i took the plea of 1 year diversion with 24 hours of community service. Which after one year of completing this and obeying all laws, the misdemeanor will be off my record.

One year later, community service was completed early and today was my final court date. My case was dismissed and off my record! For a year, i have been out of the industry and I have been afraid to have weed or any paraphenilia on me or be in the car with friends with weed. Even going to a clinic for my medication was sketch for me. Even though i had my medical card, it's federally illegal here in Cali and it's sad i had to be in fear this whole year of cops incriminating me for WEED. I'm in this movement hoping one day this medicine will be decriminalized. WHO'S WITH ME?! :]