As if news that San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith plans to shut down all of San Diego's medical marijuana dispensaries wasn't bad enough for those prescribed the drug. Now the federal government has issued warnings that property used to distribute and or grow marijuana may be confiscated.
According to a blog in the OC Weekly, property owners in Northern California have received warnings that their land may be seized if they lease to pot growers or distributors.
The warnings were proceeded by a letter from U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag in February.
"Growing, distributing, and possessing marijuana in any capacity, other than as part of a federally authorized research program, is a violation of federal law regardless of state laws permitting such activites," wrote Haag.
"The government may also pursue civil injunctions and the forfeiture of drug proceeds, property traceable to such proceeds, and properties used to facilitate drug violations...Property owners, landlords, financiers, should also know that their conduct violates federal law."
The letters now being sent to landlords in Northern California shows that the federal government, after months of passing on the issue, might be ready to respond to the state's growing medical marijuana industry.
As if news that San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith plans to shut down all of San Diego's medical marijuana dispensaries wasn't bad enough for those prescribed the drug. Now the federal government has issued warnings that property used to distribute and or grow marijuana may be confiscated.
According to a blog in the OC Weekly, property owners in Northern California have received warnings that their land may be seized if they lease to pot growers or distributors.
The warnings were proceeded by a letter from U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag in February.
"Growing, distributing, and possessing marijuana in any capacity, other than as part of a federally authorized research program, is a violation of federal law regardless of state laws permitting such activites," wrote Haag.
"The government may also pursue civil injunctions and the forfeiture of drug proceeds, property traceable to such proceeds, and properties used to facilitate drug violations...Property owners, landlords, financiers, should also know that their conduct violates federal law."
The letters now being sent to landlords in Northern California shows that the federal government, after months of passing on the issue, might be ready to respond to the state's growing medical marijuana industry.