santa ana police retaliate against the medical cannabis dispensary that caught officers disparaging...
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July 10, 2015 – Los Angeles, CA – On Wednesday, bypassing at least eighteen medical marijuana dispensaries that have continued to operate in the city, Santa Ana police again targeted Sky High Holistic following the release of video from the May 26 raid showing police eating what appeared to be marijuana edibles. Addressing inquiries about the Wednesday raid of Sky High, Corporal Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department alleged operation of the dispensary violates a city ordinance and that an undercover officer purchased marijuana from the dispensary. Responding to Bertagna’s statement, Matthew Pappas, the attorney representing the dispensary, said, “What Corporal Bertagna left out is that the officer who allegedly bought medical cannabis from the collective was a patient who had a valid physician recommendation for marijuana.” Pappas also said there were at least 18 other dispensaries without permits under the city’s controversial lottery that continue to operate and that were not raided. “Saying they’re just doing their job despite having his uniform on to seem officious does not make Corporal Bertagna’s comments more believable -- they targeted Sky High rather than those other dispensaries to retaliate – they’ve never raided the same dispensary twice in a row.” Pappas continued, “We have a very shaky lottery-based ordinance put in-place amidst allegations of wrongdoing by people involved in city government. That very controversial law is the basis for Corporal Bertagna’s justification for these violent smash-and-grab police raids. For him to say with a straight face that Sky High is violating some valid Santa Ana law is disingenuous.” In 1996, California voters were the first in the country to decriminalize marijuana use and possession for seriously ill and disabled patients. “Medical marijuana laws were not enacted solely for rock stars, celebrities or Santa Ana politicians wishing to line their pockets with campaign donations and huge profits – the laws are for patients who often suffer from illnesses and disabilities and who have very limited financial resources,” Pappas said. Last month, Pappas’s law office filed suit against Santa Ana for civil rights violations related to the May 26 raid. He said he is amending that same lawsuit this week to include damage claims for retaliation he alleges took place on Wednesday.TRANSCRIPT
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P R E S S R E L E A S E Santa Ana Police Retaliate Against the Medical Cannabis Dispensary that Caught Officers Disparaging a Disabled Patient July 10, 2015 Los Angeles, CA On Wednesday, bypassing at least eighteen medical marijuana dispensaries that have continued to operate in the city, Santa Ana police again targeted Sky High Holistic following the release of video from the May 26 raid showing police eating what appeared to be marijuana edibles. Addressing inquiries about the Wednesday raid of Sky High, Corporal Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department alleged operation of the dispensary violates a city ordinance and that an undercover officer purchased marijuana from the dispensary. Responding to Bertagnas statement, Matthew Pappas, the attorney representing the dispensary, said, What Corporal Bertagna left out is that the officer who allegedly bought medical cannabis from the collective was a patient who had a valid physician recommendation for marijuana. Pappas also said there were at least 18 other dispensaries without permits under the citys controversial lottery that continue to operate and that were not raided. Saying theyre just doing their job despite having his uniform on to seem officious does not make Corporal Bertagnas comments more believable -- they targeted Sky High rather than those other dispensaries to retaliate theyve never raided the same dispensary twice in a row. Pappas continued, We have a very shaky lottery-based ordinance put in-place amidst allegations of wrongdoing by people involved in city government. That very controversial law is the basis for Corporal Bertagnas justification for these violent smash-and-grab police raids. For him to say with a straight face that Sky High is violating some valid Santa Ana law is disingenuous. In 1996, California voters were the first in the country to decriminalize marijuana use and possession for seriously ill and disabled patients. Medical marijuana laws were not enacted solely for rock stars, celebrities or Santa Ana politicians wishing to line their pockets with campaign donations and huge profits the laws are for patients who often suffer from illnesses and disabilities and who have very limited financial resources, Pappas said. Last month, Pappass law office filed suit against Santa Ana for civil rights violations related to the May 26 raid. He said he is amending that same lawsuit this week to include damage claims for retaliation he alleges took place on Wednesday. For more information contact Sergio Sandoval, 562-533-1628, E-mail: [email protected]