"I'm a contributing member of society, creating jobs and paying taxes," says Ken Estes, "but the DEA keeps taking my stuff."

On Jan. 22, the DEA - assisted by the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, the South Lake Tahoe-El Dorado County Narcotics Enforcement Team and the South Lake Tahoe Police - raided Estes' Patient to Patient Collective in Lake Tahoe. It occured just two days after the Obama Inauguration.

These raids are depriving California's economy of jobs and taxes, says Estes, a 44-year-old quadriplegic and single parent who's been the target of repeated raids. In the latest action, the DEA shuttered his business, confiscated five to 10 pounds of marijuana, his car and bank account, and threatened to take his home and children.

Estes credits medical marijuana with giving him gainful employment. "I was proud of myself to get off welfare and disability, and to start paying taxes," he says.

In December, the DEA forced Estes to close Holistic Solutions in Contra Costa County. In May, Estes' two other dispensaries in San Mateo and Clearlake were shut down.

"I had nine employees and had paid over $51,000 in sales taxes to the state in the past three months," he says.

According to California NORML, Californians consume as much as $2.5 billion worth of medical marijuana per year, enough to generate $100 million in sales taxes. Ten times as much could be generated by complete legalization.

California NORML urges supporters to call on President Obama to promptly implement his pledge to end the DEA's medical-marijuana raids. 

White House Hotline: 202-456-1111
White House website

Dale Gieringer contributed to this story

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