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2 Weho Medical Pot Dispensaries Remain Closed After Raid

Alternative Herbal Health Services and Zen Healing are part of an ongoing criminal investigation, DEA spokeswoman Sarah Pullen says.

Two of West Hollywood's four medicinal marijuana collectives,  and , remain closed after a federal and local law enforcement  Tuesday afternoon. , which was also closed that same day, but not raided, is back open for business.

Weho Patch approached workers at Alternative Herbal and Zen Healing on Wednesday afternoon for comments. Staffers at both dispensaries declined to speak to the media. At Zen Healing, the “Closed Permanently” sign that had been prominently displayed in the front window Tuesday after the raid was no longer posted.

Sarah Pullen, a spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, confirmed that both stores were served with federal warrants.

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“The warrants are sealed by the courts, which means I can’t discuss any of the details,” Pullen said. “It’s part of an ongoing investigation.”

She did say that although one individual was detained and questioned, he was later released. However charges may be filed at a future date.

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Pullen said the DEA followed the new Department of Justice guidelines, enacted in 2009, regarding medical marijuana.

“It’s very safe to say that the DOJ is aware of the investigation and is following the revised guidelines,” Pullen said.  

However, Pullen did hint that when a raid involves a medical marijuana collective, there is a distinct suspicion on the part of law enforcement that other laws may be being violated there.  

As for why the Los Angeles Police Department was involved in raids happening in West Hollywood, where the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has jurisdiction, Pullen said that an LAPD task force member is assigned to the investigation.

“It’s a federal investigation,” she said, meaning federal law supersedes state and local jurisdiction.  

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