Update: Four people have been indicted on federal charges of distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute, and they were all granted bail. Two defendants, Jose Malagon, 33, and Antonio Malagon, 28, have been released pending trial. The two other defendants, Luke Scarmazzo and Ricardo Montes, both 26, have not yet been released due to a federal government appeal of their bail. There is a hearing on the bail appeal for Luke and Richard on Monday, October 16th, at 11am in the Fresno Federal Court. Read more

The California Healthcare Collective in Modesto was raided on the morning of Wednesday, September 27th by local and federal agents. Police say that they seized 60 pounds of dried marijuana, 30 pounds of edibles, two pounds of hashish, $16,000 in cash, two vehicles, and multiple firearms, in the raid on the dispensary. Police also reportedly raided the homes of multiple dispensary staff. Two dispensary operators and two employees were arrestedy. This raid came on the heels of a long process in the city government that ultimately led to shutting down the dispensary.

Protests were held around the state that Friday to tell the DEA that the medical marijuana community of California will not stand for these continued attacks on medical cannabis patients. The protests took place at local DEA offices at 12pm-- in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Modesto, and other cities. Americans for Safe Access encouraged people to bring signs and copies of the Modesto DEA action flyer to distribute to people passing by.

In mid-September, the Modesto City Council voted to repeal the non-profit provision that had allowed the CHC to exist, thereby prohibiting the dispensary's operation. Americans for Safe Access says, "This complicit action by both local and federal governments is arguably entrapment, which can and should be used in the defense of those raided, arrested, and soon to be prosecuted."

Read more | Reports from 9/27