Fresno Authorities target Medical Marijuana

Fresno County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Rick Morse Friday when a judge found him in violation of a court order, and now the city is going after another dispensary.

Two months ago, a judge ordered the Med-Mar owner to close his marijuana dispensary and serve 100 hours of community service. He did neither.

Action News was there in March a few hours after the judge's order when Morse opened his door, and patients walked out with pot.

"Mr. Morse sent himself to jail," said deputy Fresno city attorney Michael Flores. "It was something that he's absolutely refused to do is obey the laws. It's something he's required to do. We'd prefer him just to close down."

Friday, the judge sentenced Morse to 15 days in jail, but again, just hours later, Morse's son Brandon opened the doors for patients.

"Everyone's going to say 'Why don't you just wait? Why don't you just wait?'" Brandon Morse said. "I don't have any more time to wait."

City attorneys are now trying to get a court order to send in police to physically close the dispensary. But their focus isn't only on Med-Mar.

The city's next target, the Healthy Living Collective. Even though the sign here clearly states it's 'Members Only' and city attorneys admit they do not sell marijuana here, the city is still trying to shut this place down.

Patients like Diana Kirby share marijuana with each other at the Healthy Living Collective. No money is exchanged. But a new lawsuit from the city claims the collective is an unauthorized dispensary in violation of the same laws as Med-Mar.

"Our job is to enforce any law that has to do with keeping the health and public safety," said Flores.

Patients at the Healthy Living Collective didn't want to talk about the lawsuit, but they'll have their day in court on May 20.


NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: abc30.com
Author: Corin Hoggard
Contact: abc30.com
Copyright: 2010 ABC Inc., KFSN-TV/DT Fresno
Website: Fresno Authorities target Medical Marijuana
 
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