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

San Francisco