Medical marijuana dispensary fined $1.8M
A Pacific Beach med pot shop was hit with a $1.8 million penalty for operating outside of San Diego’s zoning regulations, incurring the largest fine against a city dispensary ever. "The judges are sending a message," City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said. Ref. Source 5h
Man had $324K seized but was never charged
Officers raided a Kearny Mesa medical cannabis business and seized $324,000 in cash and inventory. Nine months later, the owner hasn't been charged and his money hasn't been returned. "It’s the dirty little secret of the American justice system." Ref. Source 8y.
Even with legalized weed in some U.S. States, black market thrives. Nearly 65 million Americans live in eight states and the District of Columbia where adults can legally consume marijuana, but police in nearby states that haven't relaxed their laws on cannabis are feeling the effects, according to a multi-state USA TODAY Network investigation. One reason: The pot is starting out in states where growing it is legal, but the profit on a joint or bud elsewhere is far more lucrative - and way too tempting for those who don't mind skirting the law. Ref. USAToday.