The feds really aren’t playing any games when it comes to medical marijuana in California. Earlier in the month, they ordered some of the state’s medical marijuana dens close in the next 45 days, or face criminal charges and have their property confiscated. Now, they’re targeting newspapers, radio stations and other media outlets that advertise weed shops.
Medical marijuana is legal in California, but it violates federal law. In addition, federal law outlaws the placement of ads for illegal drugs “in any newspaper, magazine, handbill or other publication.” U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy says that medical marijuana has gone mainstream, infiltrating print ads and television. Duffy plans to extend this campaign all the way down to Southern California.
Marijuana defense specialist William G. Panzer says that publishers might be in trouble, as federal law focuses on anyone who “places” an ad in a publication. Although this is vague, it could place responsibility on the actual publication. According to Panzer, a first offense carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison and eight years if you were previously convicted of a felony.
This whole crusade is valiant, but let us know when people stop smoking weed in California. Or anywhere else.
[viaThe Huffington Post]
