Reader: Greedy People Are Going to Screw Up Legal Pot

Thomas Mitchell

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The Denver Police Department raided a number of Sweet Leaf dispensaries on December 14, resulting in all the metro locations losing their licenses, at least temporarily, and thirteen employees being hauled off to jail. While the company awaits a hearing on the status of its licenses and the now-released employees await charges, members of the cannabis community aren't waiting to help their colleagues. A fundraiser today will ensure that Sweet Leaf employees who are now out of work will have a merrier Christmas; a second fundraiser will help cover legal costs.

But others aren't as sympathetic. Says Brian: 

They got caught for looping, which is when someone buys their limit, exits and comes right back to buy their limit again. This is illegal in the State of Colorado, and there's nothing ominous about it. Personally, I couldn't be happier to see this happen. We don't need any businesses that violate the law in a blatant cash-grab to be representative of the cannabis industry. We won't rally behind them and I hope they die a thousand deaths.

Adds Steven:

 Not trying to sound demeaning or insensitive. If you're a budtender or w/e, shouldn’t you be aware of the laws of the product you're selling? I mean, it is your job and you would think the employees would be a little more cautious considering it’s still federally illegal. It’s a shame that everyone else who got caught in the crossfire is now jobless and for those people I have sympathy.

Says Erik: 

Heard the higher-ups here were encouraging their budtenders to sell to loop shoppers as much as they want. Shady practices all the way. Hopefully they are gone for good. Keep the industry clean.

Adds Chris: 

Greedy people are going to screw the whole thing up...not just for Colorado, but for the national attitude overall.

Concludes Ryan:

Just legalize it nationally, and all of this ends overnight. You don't see anyone buying hoards of Coors Light and driving it to Illinois.

Keep reading for links to some of our Sweet Leaf coverage.

click to enlarge

Saturday's fundraiser is organized by (from left) Tiffany Cronick, Mitch Mendez, Melanie Rose Rodgers, Julia Staley, Duane Allene and Ty Gosselin (in front).

Courtesy Melanie Rose Rodgers

"Cannabis Community Holding Fundraisers for Sweet Leaf Employees"

Scott Lentz

"Sweet Leaf Raids Cast Shadow Over Pot Industry"

Scott Lentz

"Sweet Leaf Licenses Suspended After Denver Police Raid Dispensaries"

The fundraiser for Sweet Leaf employees will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, at iPuff Vape, 3405 Downing Street, and should be just the first of multiple events benefiting Sweet Leaf employees. "We want them to know we're here as a community resource, and to possibly help with job assistance," says one organizer. "There's no union group around to help these people out."

What do you think of the Sweet Leaf raids? Looping? Is complete legalization the answer?

Post a comment or send a message to [email protected].