Feds Target S.B. Medical Marijuana Shops

Looks like it is time for the city to stand up and provide official space for these endeavors. Put them under the city's protective wing. They found space for the Solstice parade.

This is great news for those of us who have been threatened by criminals running illegal marijuana grow houses in residential neighborhoods. The late night visits by people from outside the area, the odd smells and violent behavior by con artists claiming to be medical marijuana advocates has to stop. The DEA is coming to the rescue of law-abiding citizens who want to live in peace.

For two years, I observed assault, attempted assault and lots of noise and traffic resulting from an illegal marijuana growing operation in a residential neighborhood. The illegal marijuana grower had hundreds of plants in a windowless room, but didn't have a license to be a provider, only a card for personal medical use. This is illegal. A few times a week, several men from Ventura County would arrive in a truck around midnight. Boxes, bags, and gas tanks were carried between the house and truck, causing lots of noise and preventing the neighbors from sleeping. Because he is a violent person, the grower assaulted a visitor who threatened to call the police about what he saw inside the house. He also attempted to assault a neighbor who complained that the late night traffic kept him awake. When local law enforcement was contacted, they claimed it was that it was difficult for them to enforce the law if the person had a medical marijuana card for personal use, even if someone was illegally growing hundreds of plants on the premises. They said they had to see money changing hands in order to investigate. I welcome the DEA to rid my neighborhood of criminals using medical marijuana laws as a shield. Maybe the idea that the DEA was taking an interest in Santa Barbara was the reason that the grower finally shut down his operation. He said that he didn't know that a friend of his was running an illegal drug operation out of a room in his house, and that he was always asleep at midnight when the men came and didn't hear a thing! He hired a couple of people to haul away the evidence, which included a couple of truckloads of hydroponic equipment. He still grows a few plants for personal use, which nobody minds. A small number medical marijuana dispensaries should be plenty to accomodate the needs of the patients in Santa Barbara.

I never said that all medical marijuana providers are violent criminals, but our current laws make it difficult for local law enforcement to stop the kind of situation I described. Don't be so sure that it's just a few isolated instances either. We wouldn't be seeing the busts of large illegal marijuana farms in the rural areas of the county if this wasn't a huge law enforcement problem. I would prefer to see marijuana dispensed at pharmacies like other drugs with legal drug companies as the providers.

I completely agree with Mike and completely disagree with Alexander. I guarantee you that dispensaries do not buy from illegal growing operations. Why would they run that risk? From a business standpoint it would not make any sense.

The fact that so much time and resources (money) is being spent to shut down marijuana growers and dispensaries shows the poor judgment of law enforcement agencies at all levels (government, state, city). I would rather have my tax dollars be spent on stopping REAL violent crimes such as Rape and Murder.

How many acts of violence are committed each year because of marijuana? Less than 10. How many rapes are committed each month in Santa Barbara alone? About 10 according to the 2000 census. Would you rather law enforcement stop dispensaries or work on larger and more dangerous crimes plaguing the community?

And the issue of it only costing the price of the stamp is grossly understated. Money is spent on investigation and someone actually sitting down and writing the letter. Tax dollars are spent on hiring lawyers to oversee the (potential) seizing of assets. How much money is wasted on these often fruitless efforts?

Alexander, you should think carefully about your actions. Many times you will think you are acting morally when in fact you are creating larger problems than some noises in the night.

Alexander, you effectively 'released the hounds' inside of a hospital by inviting the DEA to this town. You are a very sick and selfish person and you are hurting a lot of innocent people.

You need to realize that you are causing setbacks to the medical marijuana movement which will only drive it further underground. This will cause more crime, violence and grief for other community members in the longterm. By moving things forward instead of backward as you did, shipping product and night and residential grow-ops would have eventually become a thing of the past. Now they are going to be even more common, thanks to you.

Besides, I would imagine that the grow-op you spoke of was completely legitimate. By becoming a caregiver to other patients, you can effectively increase the number of plants you are allowed to grow under California state law.

You made a choice to live in a city across the street from commercial zoning. It sounds to me like noise complaints are your only real complaint, as any other complaints you have made were related to said noise complaints. I have absolutely no sympathy for the situation you were in.

Congratulations. You and your unfortunate, yet narrow view have officially brought our community down a notch.

I simply stated the facts about the years of criminal activity in my residential neighborhood, which is nowhere near a commercial zone. My family has lived in this neighborhood for forty years and this problem did not exist until the current medical marijuana laws provided a shield for criminals like my neighbor who took advantage of the situation. There is no reason to attack me personally. I have a right to an opinion about the DEA, just as the rest of you do.

It's obvious that Alexander has an uneducated view of the situation, but he does knows what he sees around him. I can relate to his plight. Personally I am mad about the noise from the airport, and I'd be mad about people up at all hours of the night keeping me up to. But thankfully we have alternatives, as adults, besides calling the cops to complain.

If you don't like what your neighbor is doing, just go talk to him. If he's growing for medical purpose and is on the up and up, he is going to want to hear your concerns and work out the problems you have with him. He's not a "criminal" nor is he "hiding" behind medical laws. That's like saying someone who owns a gun is "hiding" behind the second amendment. The reason he has to be secretive is because the harsh hand of the DEA. I'm sure he would rather have a real quality grow facility somewhere other then his home, but until the DEA stop doing what they are doing, he's stuck "hiding" in his house.

What the DEA is doing is ILLEGAL. Period. What is happening now is an abuse of power, just as what people were afraid the government would do with the Patriot Act. They are now using laws put in place to break up organized global crime syndicates back in the 80's to go after mom and pop landlords who have done nothing wrong.

Ya, the noise around your place isn't right, but neither is this. And I think we were all brought up knowing that 2 wrongs never make a right.

I want to first point out that I am a patient of a local dispensary and a proponent of making medical marijuana available and safe. Alexander does have a right to his opinion on the impact that he feels the dispensary is having in his neighborhood. I agree that the late night noise and constant traffic in a residential neighborhood is unacceptable. I have been witness to one collective that has had a noticeably negative impact on the surrounding area. That dispensary has been featured as the one closing its doors in both the independent and the Daily Sound. It was painfully apparent that there were plenty of people who were there that did not appear to have a legitimate need for Cannabis as a medicine. There were obvious signs of people reselling within sight of the club. These actions provide ammunition to those who say medical marijuana is nothing but a smoke screen to legalize marijuana. While I do see the futility of trying to enforce a prohibition on Marijuana, the dispensaries have a responsibility to provide a safe, clean, and non disruptive environment for those who legitimately use marijuana for medical purposes. It goes along with the basic tenant of the constitution that expresses the right to do whatever you want as long as it does not infringe on someone else’s rights. I think the state should allow for a commercial grow operation to take place on zoned agricultural land. I am worried about the safety and accessibility of our public lands if they are taken over by foreign and domestic criminal operations. It is high time the local and state governments take up the task of regulating the growing and distribution of medical marijuana. This is the only solution that will make it safe for all parties involved. Please write to your local and state government representatives and make this a priority.

Both sides have valid points.

In Santa Barbara there is a high percentage of mentally ill people and that needs to be factored into whatever negative ancillary activity goes on per the Marijuana dispensary.

Also, how often is marijuana a factor in men battering their wives/girfriends vs. alcohol? Whenever I see law enforcement reality shows it seems like booze gets the nod when it comes to making people violent. Yet good ol' Santa Barbara sure doesn't have any problems issuing liquor (sp?) licenses hence the endless supply of bars. (And for the record, I recognize the failure of alcohol prohibition)

When I say "both sides", I'm only talking about the people who live here since I don't have enough knowledge at this point about the legality of closing the business in question.

I highly doubt the DEA is not truly concerned with taking away legal marijuana from the few people who actually need it. However recently there has been an explosion of people who have no honest need for medical marijuana, but are more than willing to pay a few hundred dollars to some doctor who is more than happy to justify their subscription with an over dramatized illness. I personally know multiple people who have done exactly this, only to then get cards to every club in town and re-sell the marijuana they get from the clubs illegally. People taking advantage of an essentially unregulated system is what is bringing the recent federal heat onto the industry. The best solution is for the clinics to work towards forming an independent oversight committee than can help regulate the industry. In its current state, the Feds will continue to attempt to squash it until they no longer view it as a major “Threat to society”.

Redslurpee, you drink too much sugar.

Cannabis is one of the most healthful substances known to mankind. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but did you know that anxiety is one of the root causes of most illnesses? A lot of people use alcohol to reduce anxiety, but as well all know alcohol is extremely unhealthy in the long run and is much less effective at reducing said anxiety.

I have been to the doctor to get my recommendation several times and I have seen patients rejected. Currently, you must see a physician once per year to have your recommendation updated, and in many cases you need to have continual documentation of your illness. The doctor discusses usage with each patient at length to determine whether they think it is benefiting the patient. Unless you are a physician, and I doubt any physician would promote a substance as unhealthy as refined sugar, I will take their opinion over yours. These guidelines are more than I believe is necessary.

I would disagree with your theory that it is too easy to obtain a recommendation. This is not a dangerous substance we're talking about here, it is a plant that grew plentiful in the natural surroundings of all of our ancestors. I think it should be easier to obtain. For one thing, as long as individuals under 18 are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter dispensaries, only adults with recommends will be able to obtain it legally. Once the majority of the market share is off of the streets, it will be more difficult for kids to obtain and easier for adults. Currently, it is easier for kids to obtain and more difficult for adults. This, unfortunately, is what the DEA is encouraging.

GOOD RIDDANCE MEDICAL MARIJUANA! i myself have been going to 6 different medical dispensaries in santa barbara for the past 2 years. and i am sooooooo happy to hear the DEA finally came into the city and put a stop to them! medical marijuana dispensaries are supposed to be a "non-profit organization" they are anything but! they made soo much money off of us "patients" i have added up all my records for just one month and i have spent a breathtaking $2,500 on marijuana! just to keep MYSELF medicated! now how is a person supposed to afford to stay medicated , eat and pay rent/mortgage? not with the prices they are asking! again i wanna say THANK YOU TO THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY! SCREW THE GREEDY MONEY GRUBBING "DISPENSARIES" GROW YOUR OWN! COMPASSIONATE MY ASS! ESPECIALLY HORTIPHARM THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS PRICES IN CALIFORNIA I SAY THROW THE BOOKS AT THEM! MAKE THEM GIVE BACK THE MILLIONS THEY SWINDLED FROM US! HOORAY ITS TIME FOR THE STREET POT DEALER TO REIGN SUPREME ONCE AGAIN!

ILL SMOKE A BOWL TO THAT!

which dispensaries are still open? Uptown is looking mighty bleak...it's hard to find amalgamated information on the web specific to the topic and area..

There is a serious problem with you if your smoking/eating $2500 worth of marijuana every month. Anxiety, insomnia, constant pain? Considering one eighth ounce of marijuana costs about $50. By my calculations that's 50 eights of marijuana. So you consume about a quarter ounce per day? Now, for arguments sake, let's say you're smart, then you would be buying whole ounces. The going rate for an ounce is about $250. that would be 10 ounces. That's almost a pound. you consume a pound of marijuana in a month? I find that very hard to believe. You must have been high when you wrote that post.

GETYOURWEEDIES YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY NEVER STEPPED A FOOT INTO ANY OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES IN SANTA BARBARA! PLEASE TELL ME WHERE YOU CAN GET AN OUNCE OF SOME BOMB CHRONIC FOR $250! PLEASE! THE GOING RATE FOR SOME DECENT BUDS THAT ACTUALLY GET YOU HIGH AND TASTE OK IS $325-400 NOW IF YOU WANT THE BEST QUALITY YOUR GONNA PAY $475-525 AN OUNCE! I HAVE BEEN TO 6 DISPENSARIES IN SANTA BARBARA I DON'T KNOW WHAT CLUB YOUR GOING TO BUT IVE NEVER SEEN AN OUNCE OF MARIJUANA FOR $250 THAT I WOULD ACTUALLY EVEN THINK ABOUT SMOKING BUDDY! SO KEEP SMOKING YOUR SEEDED OUNCES FOR 250! O AND IF YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT TASTES GOOD AND POTENT AS ALL HELL DONT BE SUCH A CHEAP SKATE AND SPRING FOR THE $65 EIGHTH!

CIELO I KNOW FOR A FACT HORTIPHARM IS STILL OPEN AND THE COMPASSION CENTER I BELIEVE.... AND I HEAR THERE IS A DELIVERY SERVICE IN LOMPOC. WELL GOOD LUCK TRYING TO STAY LEGALLY MEDICATED EVERYBODY!

!!!!!BE SAFE!!!!!!!

Lance you are way to medicated and drunk, I must respond.If you really spent that much you need help.I have been to 9 dispensary's in S. B. as well as over 60 statewide from the Bay Area to L.A. Have had my dr. rec. 5 yrs. Horti is one of the most commpassionate,clean,safe dispensary's loved by its neighbors and MOST patients Prices are determined by Vendors(growers.) Dispensary's are not for profit, not non-profit (C.E.O. of Red Cross makes 1.5 million a yr.) You sound like a real stoner probably with a good job.Discounts are given to those that prove real need(medicare,SSI,etc.). Not folks that can afford to spend $2500/mo. Maybe the D.E.A. needs to talk to you.HOW DARE YOU SAY ANY DISPENSARY DESERVES THIS!! Do you realize how many peeps can't grow their own.Or how many folks drive to Santa Barbara from Montery to San Diego.

Thanks Lance...where is Hortipharm? :) Plus I'm wondering about Solvang area...I used to go to Helping Hands on Upper State at the Mercado, and they were the BOMB. I find the quality really fluctuates between establishments, and I'm hoping to find a similarly excellent pharmacy for all my shopping needs, as it were. Good debate going on here--people seem to really opinionated as to this matter!

How is Hortipharm compassionate??? they are the most expensive club in Santa Barbara! they don't give a fuk about you! all they care about is your money!! if someone is driving from Monterey they are retarded when they can drive the same distance to the bay area and get a way better deal!

cielo man Solvang has been closed for awhile now. ill get back to you as to the address to Hortipharm.

I agree with drunkinlance.
I can get a good bag on the street for $40- $55. The same stuff cost $65 at these clubs. (sometimes more after tax).
I feel no pity for these greedy drug dealers who profit more than the street hustlers.
Hey calikid 55, you say people drive from Monterey or further to come here to buy pot. Thats pretty stupid of them. what were they doing before pot became legal here? Ive never grown pot but somehow have been able to get cheaper pot for 18 years wherever i go.
You say Hortipharm is non-profit while the owner brags to making 3 million dollars last year. If you think $25 a gram and $45 agram for hash (which technically is no better than good bud) is not completely ripping people off, then you're getting lied to by someone..
I admit it's fun to chose from 30 different kinds of buds and legally buy it.
IF THE CLUBS CHARGED DECENT PRICES I WOULD BE ALL FOR THEM STAYING OPEN, BUT AS IT IS, i WOULD RATHER SEE ALL THE CLUBS SHUT DOWN,!
AND GO BACK TO THE $40-$55 AT MOST AND $15 A GRAM FOR HASH AND THE BASIC BREAKDOWN ON BUYING LARGER QUANTITIES FOR CHEAPER PRICES.(before the clubs i was spending at the most $340 for an ounce of the best stuff in the world) (at the clubs $480 straight up)
(one club was trying to get $40 a half gram for some Lambs Bread. It's ok pot but no way worth more than $50 an eighth)

finally someone with a damn brain! lefty you need to hook it up with that 15 a g H hook up hahaha yeah since the clubs got the big "scare" or whatever ive been getting the best deals on the streets $200 zips of out-door all day long! $40/eighth 75/quarter of some really stoney nor-cal buds. like i said before HOORAY ITS TIME FOR THE STREET POT DEALER TO REIGN SUPREME ONCE AGAIN! AND THANK GOD!

The funny thing about the clubs is they shut down too quick.
If they would have read the letter they would have noticed a phone # on it. If They would have called the number they would have been told they have 60 days left before they had to shut down. Could have made at least a couple hundred thousand dollars more before they shut down.
If these people were, as me and my friends call "in the good" they would have had better prices, made a little less money, more steady customers and maybe someone like me would have schooled them on how to stay open longer for the good of themselves and others.
It's a way of life and if you're "in the bad" itll all catch up with you in the end.
Also, the pot is still out there, now people will start being more picky on what they buy. and sell.
HOORAY FOR THE STREET POT DEALER!

Prop.215 was passed for sick people Who would never buy on the street.You guys are just young "potheads" so go buy on the street from drug dealers.Sick people would rather pay more to be safe. Also owner of Horti never made 3 mil himself or bragged about it(like you know what his costs are).Rumors and mis-information.Street dealers right LMFAO at you !! prices in bay area and LA not different LA is the most expensive in the state, with the most clubs.Go cry to the growers who charge clubs 5-7K a lb. The problem is Fakers that get letter from a Dr. Doctors will give a letter to anyone with $150. Also there are greedy club owners. To say Horti is the most expensive is a flat out lie, prices in SB were very competitive.With 14 dispensarys at one time they were the most popular.Why is that HATERS? Oh yea we dont have any street dealers

also comparing good full melt bubble hash to even the best svf kush, good hash is double the THC of the best buds. I like the fact you and your friends could show all these buss owners a thing or two.Well open up, proof is doing. also check your websters difference between not for profit and non profit. I would love to see your buss.plan. Also if this place were "not in the good " why do they have and always have had the most bussiness with the least ammount of advertising

calikid55, Thursday may 3rd 2007, Independent.The owner of Hortipharm claims to make "more than 3 million dollars last year"
"Sick people would rather pay more to be safe," Ive never had "unsafe pot" but i read some of the clubs had pot with chemicals on it because of cropdusting and such. People who dont own clubs usually try the pot before they buy it, where the Pot Movers in the clubs dont. they cant. they move so much they don't have much idea what theyre selling half the time.
The growers have so much pot they would quickly go down in prices but the clubs keep paying whatever they are told.
I know some people who sell to the clubs and they sell cheaper pot outside of the clubs. only the clubs pay that much.
These clubs are bringing LA prices to town.
I can understand how you feel because you've been ripped off for so song you must be embarrased.
Also "in the good" has nothing to do how much business you do.
You say Horipharm has the least amount of advertiseing. These arcticles in the Independent give them more advertising than any other pot place in town.(do you not agree?'

smoke some bubba kush, then some bubba kush hash, no difference. people tell you alot of lies, in these shops.
pot has its limit. you cant make pot better. Some people take off the crystals ( kief the biggest scam out there) some people make hash and people do all sorts of things to try to trick you and make pot better.(dont get me wrong, i love hash i just know its value.)
If you smoke a bowl and it gets you high . smoking 10 wont get you ten times as high.(sometimes it takes a few bowls to feel it if the pot is weak, but once high, smoking more doesnt do more until some of the rest wears off.)
If you take hash from a pot plant. the hash wont be any better than the plant it came from.
For legal reasons i havnt opened my own club. I fear jail where any one of these club owners could go.
I just went from being a criminal to being a patient and i think everyone should get a prescription.
I have a real doctor and medical files and reasons where i think you would see to my need. I know of a guy who is 20 years old and was on the beach with his friend smoking a joint (like lots of surfers do) and the cops busted them. only my buddy didnt have a prescription and they took his licensce away. Its only pot.
Horti is the most expensive thats a fact.
calikid55 i have no ill feeling towards you. Im a little pissed cause i wrote a great response,than lost it,.to power troubles.
If you had some backup money for the law and such, I would be glad to show you a business plan that would make us both rich while getting out the good stuff, that will impress even you.
Its so easy, thats why there are so many clubs, Personally... ,Like Cool Hand Luke..., ive been beat down by this town and regulations to the point of fear of the governmet and since i have children i couldnt chance it without good legal help.
Im not a "Hater", Pot has been a way of life for me for a while now and it sucks to see these Hustlers comeing into our town ripping you and me off.
The cheapest prices are at the Santa Barbara Collective on the corner of Haley and Garden.they had 20 dollar grams of hash until recently when all these clubs closed down now up to 25-35. now its too much but they have the best prices on pot in town right now.

Im sorry Lefty, but Im gonna have to disagree with you... Yeah ok say the average bowl or bong rip of marijuana is about a .20 of a gram (Depending on the smoker of course). Smoke that .20 of bubba kush and smoke a .10 of a gram of bubba kush hash and you are gonna be way more medicated off of half as much hash than the bud! Thats why hash is worth twice as much as the buds. Hash defiantly has a worthy, higher value than bud.

Speaking of hash Hortipharm has some really bomb diesel hash for $30 a gram and $90 and eighth