MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Marijuana collective operator says feds pushing him to sell illegally

May 6, 2013, 9:00 AM | Updated: 2:31 pm

Douglas Gerdes, owner of The Only Natural in Ballard, says they never have kids in the shop, and all their clients provide ID and a doctor's recommendation for marijuana. (AP Photo/file)

(AP Photo/file)

An operator of a medical marijuana collective says he may have to continue selling pot illegally even after the Drug Enforcement Administration told him to close up shop.

Douglas Gerdes, owner of The Only Natural in Ballard, received a letter from the DEA notifying him he’s violating the federal law by selling an illegal drug within 1,000 feet of a school.

“I have patients that depend on the medicine I provide for them. They’re all in this too and if I just walk away, then they lose everything,” says Gerdes.

He explains to KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz that medical marijuana patients contribute to his operation to keep it running.

“The people that come here give me donations to keep the lights on,” he says. “These are people that are sick or can’t afford to buy lights, or don’t have the know-how to grow, so it’s a total collective garden model where everybody puts in and I basically am their care provider.”

He says the operation does not make a profit and contributions just cover the costs to operate. “We pay our rent and we don’t have anything left, then we go ahead and just start over. We’re sort of caught in the middle. We can’t get out and we can’t go anywhere.”

According to KING 5 Gerdes appears to be operating legally under Washington’s dispensary law. Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, also tells KING 5 there’s no state or federal law stating how near a medical marijuana collective can be to a school.

Gerdes says he’s following the rules and doesn’t think marijuana operations should be pushed out to the fringes. He thinks close proximity to the community and authority is a better situation.

“I really believe these places need to be more engaged in what’s happening in our communities,” Gerdes says. “Instead of hiding cannabis, it should be transparent, and closer in proximity to the city instead of out in the alley or down around the corner where it’s out of sight. Why not have more oversight of it?”

Gerdes says he’s absolutely willing to go to jail to keep serving the patients.

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

2 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

3 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

4 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

5 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

6 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

16 hours ago

Marijuana collective operator says feds pushing him to sell illegally