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In a decade long fight against Methamphetamine and Heroin rings in Oregon, Patrick Moen gave up supervising a team of agents in the battle to join the legal marijuana industry in Washington State.
Moen said quitting his post in November, to work for a marijuana industry investment firm Seattle based, Privateer Holdings he’s enjoying the idea of getting in on the thriving industry he once swore to decimate.
He and a small amount of individuals with unlikely backgrounds have given their support in the state-sanctioned marijuana enterprise. Paul Schmidt a retired DEA agent since 2010, is a consultant to medical cannabis businesses after working as a state inspector of medical pot dispensaries in Colorado.
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Even Former Microsoft executive Jamen Shively, got a visit from former Mexican President Vicente Fox, in support of a pot firm fronted by Shively. The Seattle police department is trying to figure out if allowing officers to work as security guards at the marijuana shops opening later this year would be a good idea.
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“I saw this as an amazing opportunity to be a part of the team that’s helping to create this industry, I don’t feel like it’s the other side.” Moen said. He feels that working to help the pot industry to grow would allow the DEA to focus on the drugs the are truly harmful.
Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, but 20 states including Washington D.C. is allowed for it’s medical use. In August, The U.S. Justice Department said it wouldn’t interfere with state efforts to regulate and tax marijuana provided they meet regulations that include keeping it away from children and restricting it from entering other states. Colorado was allowed to sell marijuana in stores this month. Washington is also following Colorado’s lead.
One of Moen’s current assignments is helping Privateer avoid legal entanglements with the cultivation of medical weed in Canada. A Seattle based marijuana business lawyer, Hilary Bricken said “It’s extremely ironic that you go from cracking skulls to supporting the very effort that you once vowed to entirely destroy.” Potheads and marijuana enthusiasts everywhere will rejoice and celebrate most likely by smoking pot.
Matthew G.Barnes a seattle-based DEA official called Moen career change an act of Abandonment. Moen said not all his former colleagues have reacted negatively to his move. “I’ve gotten a lot of support from colleagues,” Moen said. “I wasn’t sure how guys were going to react and it’s been really great.” For employment in Washington State, click here.
Image Credit: Hemp.org
