Democratic Senator Caught On Video With $70,000 In Drug Money

[marble falls]

Democratic Senator Caught On Video With $70,000 In Drug Money
It’ll probably give him a bump in the polls back in Oregon. (Note: Please read this story before putting it on Facebook.)
06/30/2016 07:53 am ET

Ryan Grim Washington bureau chief for The Huffington Post

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), a high-profile supporter of Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, has been caught on video with $70,000 in drug money. The footage, provided exclusively to The Huffington Post, also captures Rep. Earl Blumenauer, another Oregon Democrat, as well as a prominent local businessman, Tyson Haworth.

The video, however, was not a sting operation run by the Drug Enforcement Administration or FBI. Instead, it’s an effort to highlight a gaping and dangerous hole in national cannabis policy, if such a thing even exists.

Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it is deemed to be highly dangerous with zero medical benefit. Even in states that have legalized cannabis, such as Oregon, possessing it remains a federal crime, as is possessing any revenue derived from dealings related to it.

That puts businesspeople like Tyson Haworth, an owner of Oregon’s Finest and sofresh farms, in tricky territory on a number of fronts. The most glaring danger, highlighted by the video, is that $70,000 in cash sitting on the table in front of Merkley, Haworth and Blumenauer. It’s money that Haworth owes in local taxes, but he can’t cut a check, because banks can’t legally work with drug dealers. Banks tend to take that law seriously when rejecting mom-and-pop pot shops, but somehow manage to look the other way for Mexican drug cartels that funnel billions through those same banks.
crimsonandclovermedia.com

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[hobbit709]

1. Walk into the tax office with a large sack and start counting out the money.

If they give you any crap, read them the small print on the bills.

[riversedge]

2. Seems that is what is happening.

[peace13]

3. I have seen people pay their property taxs in cash.

Thousands counted right there at the counter. Pretty amazing.

[hobbit709]

4. I do it as a matter of principle.

It was fun counting out $1579.83.
the year before it was $2946.72. Then I turned 65 and got my 65 exemption.

[lostnfound]

6. My taxes are $25K.. Taking that much out of the bank would make me some friends at the FBI

[hobbit709]

11. you don't have to take it out all at once

[lostnfound]

13. That's what got Denny-boy in trouble

A series of 25 $1000 withdrawals is just as bad.

[hobbit709]

14. Not all the money I make ends up in the bank in the first place.

[MattP]

5. Horrible headline

[Orrex]

7. I think it's great!

Accurate and eye-catching!

[brush]

8. Why such a misleading headline? Maybe a little editing is in order.

[Stainless]

9. It's commonly called "click bait"

Thankfully, it worked in this instance.

This thread just might help to expose how corrupt the Federal Government is when it comes to allowing the legal Marijuana Industry to safely conduct business. Exposing people to unnecessary danger by forcing them to handle large amounts of cash is absolutely criminal.

It's childish and petulant government bureaucrats who are the bad actors in all this!

[dembotoz]

10. What about money order bought at the local grocery store?

Would that work? Kroger's is not a bank

[Shrike47]

12. The headline is misleading and annoying.

[NoMoreRepugs]

16. agree 100% - it provides an excellent 'headline' for a Breitbart type site

[marble falls]

19. The headline is what it is and its what made me read the article to bigin with, I have no problem...

with it whatsoever.

[slumcamper]

15. Brilliant!

I'm now drinking in the sound (and really digging) Courtney Barnett!

No. Harm. Done.

[bluejaylane]

17. This is an unfair and terribly misleading headline.

It's something I expect from FAUX News or a right-wing blog. These two Democrats did a public relations spot demonstrating the need for reform in both the banking industry and in taxation law. Did the editors at DU think this was funny, because the evil bas*rds on the other side are going to misuse this post, guaranteed!

[fleabiscuit]

18. Don't change the heading.