[420 Girl]

Redding police Chief Peter Hansen sent letters to nine Redding medical marijuana dispensaries and their landlords Monday reminding them in no uncertain terms that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, despite California voters' legalization of medicinal pot 13 years ago.

The letter comes after the Obama administration earlier this year directed U.S. attorneys around the country not to enforce marijuana bans if they ran counter to state laws, a move that triggered a statewide rush of new medical marijuana dispensaries, co-ops and smoking rooms, including in Redding and its neighboring cities.

"The law has not changed because of the whims of the attorney general and president of the United States," Hansen said in an interview.

As reported first on Redding.com, his letter warns of federal violators facing potential 20-year prison terms and the possibility of having their property seized.

The letter was immediately criticized by a marijuana-legalization advocate, who called it a police intimidation tactic.

"It's hard to imagine what else it is," said Bruce Mirken, spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project. "One could only assume that the guy doesn't like the medical marijuana laws. That's fine, but as a law enforcement officer, he's sworn to enforce California law. I'm old-fashioned enough to think he should do it."

Hansen acknowledged that his office doesn't usually enforce federal laws, but it has the authority to work with federal agents if officers spot a violation.

He used the example of arresting an illegal immigrant and holding him or her for federal immigration police.

But, he said, he doesn't plan to have his officers target the pot shops specifically because federal prosecutors won't charge them.

Walt Carney, the owner of River Valley Collective on Market Street, agreed with Mirken that the letter was an intimidation tactic. He's drafting a letter in response.

Carney said he believes Hansen's letter was a result of pressure from members of Redding's religious community and Hansen's conservative constituents.

"I think he's probably getting a lot of negative feedback from people who are just uninformed," Carney said.

Hansen said that his responsibility as chief is to make sure all laws are enforced and to remind those who are breaking the law that there are consequences to their actions.

He said reminding the dispensaries of marijuana laws was no different than the information campaigns that local law enforcement enact to remind drunken drivers of potential for hefty fines.

"I don't mean it to be perceived as a threat," Hansen said. "But I do I want these folks to understand they're operating outside of federal law."

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