31 People Arrested in San Diego Medical Marijuana Raid

Authorities in San Diego have arrested 31 people during raids at 14 medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the county.  Of the 31 arrested, 23 people were taken into custody. 

The raids are the culmination of a five-month state and federal undercover investigation aimed at targeting people suspected of selling marijuana illegally at the so-called medical marijuana collaborative.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said that no patients were arrested in connection with the raid, and that the investigation has nothing to do with legitimate medical marijuana patients or their caregivers.  Rather, Dumanis emphasized that the investigation was targeted at identifying medical marijuana dispensaries that were being operated by drug dealers.

Dumanis believes that more than $700,000 worth of marijuana was sold over the last six months at one location alone.

The majority of the people arrested will be prosecuted in state court, while only a few will be prosecuted in federal court.

For people who need marijuana for medicinal use, San Diego police chief William Lansdowne said that patients can legally grow up to 24 plants or have a caregiver grow up to 48 plants on their behalf, as long as they have a valid recommendation from a licensed physician.

San Diego has seen an increase the number of medical marijuana dispensaries since county failed to overturn a 1996 California medical marijuana law. Furthermore, U.S. Attorney Eric Holder said the federal government will only target storefronts in which the operators violate both state and federal laws.

To learn more about the medical marijuana laws in your state, click here to find a criminal defense attorney near you.