King County Sheriff and Prosecutor Call for Immediate Closure of Dispensaries
Russ Hauge (far right), a member of WA’s Liquor Control Board, also attended and spoke at the conference with Urquahart (far left) and Satterberg (center).
King County Sheriff John Urquhart and King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg held a press conference today calling for the immediate closure of all medical cannabis dispensaries in unincorporated King County.
During the conference, which was held on the sidewalk in front of a sheriff’s office in White Center, Satterberg threatened that dispensaries which are still in operation a month from now can expect to “receive a visit”.
Prior to the press conference, dispensaries in unincorporated King County – including two popular cannabis farmers markers – were sent a cease and desist letter telling them they must shut down unless they receive a license from the state. This is despite the fact that such a license does not yet exist for medical cannabis.
“You might not consider yourself illegal”, said Satterberg at the press conference. “We do.”
The move comes after the passage of Senate Bill 5052, which calls for the closure of every medical cannabis dispensary in the state, though that portion of the law isn’t set to take effect until July of next year, leaving questions about why Satterberg and Urquhart are spending time and resources trying to shut these outlets down.
A portion of the conference can be seen below; the website in the video (SaveAccessWA.com) leads to a GoFundMe page for a series of lawsuits to overturn Senate Bill 5052. Below the video is a list of every dispensary that received the above-mentioned cease and desist letter.
- (Mr. Grassman’s)
Herbal Market - Alternative Care
- Pacific Coast Natural Medicine
- WCC
- Northwest Cannabis Market
- Herban Legends
- WPMC
- GHL Medical
- Purple Dragon
- The Solution
- King County Collective
- Evergreen Canna Club (E.C.C.)
- WAMM Health and Wellness Clinic
- MMJ Universe “A Cannabis Farmers Market”
- Military Road Holistic
– TheJointBlog
David
Why ? Just more attacks on medical patient access that’s been happening since passage of SB5052 (a result of I-502 ).
They are apparently rushing ahead with implementation of a law which doesn’t legally take affect in the State of Washington until almost an entire year from now (July 2016). The reason being they know that once the law DOES go into affect the State of Washington is going be sued by the best legal minds in the State to protect patient access to our State’s excellent medical dispensaries
HiVi
Some of the law doesn’t take effect until 7/1/2016. Some of the law, such as requiring a license to operate any retail marijuana location, takes effect 7/24/2015. So they’re “rushing ahead” with implementing a law that was passed in April and has portions that are already in effect and some that will take effect in a few weeks. Thus in a month, any business that sells marijuana in a retail location requires a license, unless it meets the definition of a “collective garden” which will be eliminated in a year. Any business still in operation that does not possess a license will be operating illegally.
Stephanie nuce
Sounds like someone should Investigate as to why their being so aggresive wanting them closed. How can you close someones business based on a document that has yet to be provided to medical establishments. Also the quest to get signatures 1372 I belive would counter balance this current bill. Why? It would establish a fully legal medical market. Sounds like the police and others may be in the back pocket…..of someone other than voters and legal rights.
HiVi
Because that’s how laws work. As of 7/24/2015 all retail outlets require a license to operate. So any location that does not have a license must close and obtain a license.
Kyle
why does the video skip?
Tyler
I knew this was going to happen. The police and district attorneys office are hurting from the fact that they spent to many years cashing in on pot busts that they can’t keep their lavish lifestyles because they have forgotten how to do real police work.
Anonymous
Sooo true!
HiVi
Some of the law doesn’t take effect until 7/1/2016. Some of the law, such as requiring a license to operate any retail marijuana location, takes effect 7/24/2015. So they’re “rushing ahead” with implementing a law that was passed in April and has portions that are already in effect and some that will take effect in a few weeks. Thus in a month, any business that sells marijuana in a retail location requires a license, unless it meets the definition of a “collective garden” which will be eliminated in a year. Any business still in operation that does not possess a license or meets the definition of a “collective garden” will be operating illegally and technically may be doing so now.
David
HiVi
Notice they didn’t begin in Seattle ? That’s when the lawsuits begin and what happens next is a roll of the dice for everyone. This law could not have been constructed nor implemented in a more ignorant fashion.
I read where the head of Washington’s LCB, Rick Garza, was quoted recently as saying Washington marijuana law’s have been a huge success because the State hasn’t been sued yet by it’s neighbor’s or the Fed’s ? That’s the Bar, whereby success is measured ?
Washington is the most timid, scared, of the Federal Goverment Boogey-man States that I’ve ever seen much less lived in. Whatever happened to falling on your sword for the good of the people” ? I suppose that that’s considered antiquated thinking, as it’s become so expensive to live in Seattle, the hamster’s are all afraid of losing their place on the treadmills. To me, this is as least as bad living through an area experiencing and economic recession.
Moirraine
Every single one of them is breaking the law.
David
Morraine
If you are referring to the gentlemen at the table addressing the audience of very understandably angry medical marijuana patients, then you’re correct.
The City Prosecutor and Sheriff aren’t breaking the law per se, as much as they’re incorrectly trying to implement it almost a year before it become State law. The closure date set by the Washington State legislature in SB5053 is July 1, 2016. NOT July 8th 2015.
Bebebe
Sounds much like the Gustapo. This dudes a bitch. Keep it rebel in King!
Greg B
Sounds like Big Pharma has offered these “lawmakers” a BIG payoff to make a PLANT disappear…..wake up sheeple….this has GOT to stop!!!!!
HiVi
Yes it’s definitely a conspiracy by Big Pharma and not a means by the state to gain a licensing requirements for a business.
Mary P. Rankster
In other news, King County dispensaries responded by calling for the immediate closure of the Sheriff’s Department and Prosecutor’s Office, for failure to follow key provisions of California state law, as implemented by CA Prop 215 and SB 420.
Anonymous
Dude – King County is Washington State
Slakr
Genesis 1:29–31
Then God said, “I now give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the entire earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the animals of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to all the creatures that move on the ground– everything that has the breath of life in it– I give every green plant for food.” It was so.
31 God saw all that he had made– and it was very good!
farmer
Note the legislators who sponsored SB 5052 and see who has their coffers filled by the I-502 interests during the next election. The most disgusting part is there is essentially no consideration for patients. This not only restricts access, but
also possession amounts, plant quantities and the criteria for collective gardens. Don’t even get me started about patient registry.
Boycott all I-502 establishments, support the initiatives and lawsuits!
Allen McKenzie
There will be a free Medical/Recreational Marijuana Law clinic at the Burien library this Thursday 7/16 at 4:20 pm. We will be discussing the recent events in White Center, as well as the future of the industry. The clinic is sponsored by the Not Guilty Law Group. This is a pro bono service, open to the public. All are welcome to attend.