Medical marijuana-related killings
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has taken aim at the medical marijuana industry, citing a triple murder in West Hollywood as an example of how enterprising criminals have infiltrated some of the dispensaries.
Baca said the dispensaries have strayed from their original mission — to aid the seriously ill — and are now the target of criminals who see an easy way to make money and get drugs.
"The medicinal marijuana program that voters authorized years ago has been hijacked by underground drug-dealing criminals who are resorting to violence in order to control their piece of the action," Baca said.
-- Richard Winton (Sept. 2, 2010)
At least seven homicides in Los Angeles County in recent years have been tied by authorities to the medical marijuana industry, according to data collected for the Homicide Report. This map shows their locations. Click on the names or red circles to learn more about each crime. Read more about marijuana-related issues in The Times complete coverage.
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