SHERIFF'S RAID POT DISPENSARY

CHINO - Patients of a medical marijuana dispensary found locked doors
and an empty office on Thursday, two days after San Bernardino County
sheriff's deputies raided the business.

The San Bernardino Patients Association, on Riverside Drive in an
unincorporated area near Chino, was raided on Tuesday evening,
according to a medical marijuana advocacy group.

Ryan Michaels of Yes We Cannabis said two owners of the dispensary, a
husband and wife team, and 11 employees were arrested.

Arden Wiltshire, spokeswoman for the sheriff's department, said a
raid of a medical marijuana dispensary did take place but could not
confirm the arrests or any other details of the incident.

The dispensary is within a small strip mall that includes a clinic
specializing in medical marijuana evaluations, a sports bar, beauty
parlor, pizzeria and smoke shop.

Patients unaware of the raid arrived at the dispensary confused about
the closure. A short explanation on the dispensary's Web site stated
a raid had taken place.

Carlos Bonilla of Rialto has been frequenting the dispensary for
about a year, obtaining medical marijuana to alleviate his back and knee pain.

Bonilla was disappointed that police activity has blocked his access
to medical marijuana.

"Why do they want people to buy it on the street?" Bonilla said.

According to Michaels, marijuana, computers, files and some furniture
were confiscated.

Michaels said there is no reason why a legitimate business would be
raided by police officers.

"It's frustrating ... these operators were obviously working in
accordance with the law," Michaels said.