DENVER – On March 23, 2012, the U.S. Attorney’s Office sent warning letters to 25 marijuana stores operating within 1,000 feet of schools warning them that if they did not close within 45 days they would be the subject of civil and possible criminal action. This was the second set of warning letters sent to marijuana stores within 1,000 feet of schools. The deadline for the 25 marijuana stores to close was Monday, May 7, 2012. The U.S. Attorney Office’s partner in this initiative, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has now checked each facility and confirms that all 25 locations have closed.

Federal criminal law specifically provides enhanced criminal penalties for those selling drugs within 1,000 feet of schools (see 21 U.S.C. Section 860(a)).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA will continue this initiative until all marijuana stores within 1,000 feet of a school are closed. A third wave of warning letters will be forthcoming as marijuana stores are identified within this 1,000 foot “drug-free school zone.” If members of the public have information regarding a marijuana store they believe is within 1,000 feet of a school in their neighborhood or elsewhere they are encouraged to send an email to usaco.jwalsh@usdoj.gov .

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