South Lake Tahoe pot shop raided

By Kathryn Reed

Various law enforcement agencies descended upon Tahoe Wellness Cooperative on Monday afternoon.

Search warrants were executed June 1 at the marijuana collective and at owner Cody Bass’ home in South Lake Tahoe.

“A lot of evidence was taken that needs to be reviewed and audited before a decision is made (about any arrests),” Jim Clinchard, El Dorado County assistant district attorney, told Lake Tahoe News. “The investigation relates to tax evasion and possession of marijuana for sale.”

What exactly was confiscated was not released.

No one was answering the phone at the collective so it is not known if the shop will stay open. Authorities did not shut it down.

TWC is the only remaining pot dispensary in South Lake Tahoe. There was a time when there were three. The city has created an ordinance where no new ones may open without City Council approval.

Collectives have long been in a tax void because of the federal government not recognizing medicinal marijuana as a legal substance. That is also why most collectives are not able to open a business bank account and do transactions via cash.

Assisting with what was described as a long and ongoing investigation were South Lake El Dorado Narcotics Task Force, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, state Board of Equalization and the Employment Development Department.