DENVER – U.S. Attorney John Walsh today issued letters to 25 marijuana stores, formally notifying them that action will be taken to seize and forfeit their property if they do not discontinue the sale and/or distribution of marijuana within 45 days from today, March 23, 2012. Those who do not comply will be subject to civil enforcement actions and potential criminal prosecution by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The 25 stores, located in various cities and towns around the state, are each within 1,000 feet of a school. Many are far closer. Today’s mailing is the second phase of an initiative to close all marijuana stores within 1,000 feet of schools.

Because the stores are operating within 1,000 feet of a school, enhanced penalties apply under federal law. See 21 U.S.C. § 860(a).

The United States Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners continue to work to identify marijuana stores within 1,000 feet of schools. If members of the public have information regarding a marijuana store they believe is within 1,000 feet of school in their neighborhood or elsewhere they are encouraged to send an email to usaco.jwalsh@usdoj.gov .

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