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Letter to Editor: DEA exaggerates profits of dispensaries
By Hempology | August 9, 2007
The Pasadena Star-News, CA
07 Aug 2007
Dale Gieringer
MEDICAL POT STORES
Your article, “Medical marijuana store’s profits questioned,” greatly exaggerates the profits of medical marijuana dispensaries.
The DEA’s figures reflect gross revenues, not net profits after costs. The bulk of dispensaries’ revenues goes to cover payroll, product and rent. Compassionate Caregivers employed over 200 workers who were receiving health insurance and other benefits.
These workers have been added to our unemployment role thanks to the DEA bust. In addition, Compassionate Caregivers paid substantial payroll, corporate and sales taxes. Altogether, the medical marijuana dispensaries closed by the DEA have paid the state millions of dollars in sales taxes. The fact that these facilities have been paying taxes and trying to comply with local regulations discredits the DEA’s claim that they are “no different than any other drug trafficker.”
Dale Gieringer, Director, California NORML
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