The City of Santa Ana is going to arraign thirteen people on Oct. 15 on charges in connection with a controversial raid at a medical marijuana dispensary where Santa Ana police were caught on hidden video purportedly snacking on pot edibles, according to the O.C. Register.

The defendants are all represented by Anthony L. Curiale, a Brea-based attorney. The defendants are going to plea not guilty at the Orange County Superior Court.

The defendants were cited for suspicion of unlawful operation of a medical marijuana collective. If convicted of the misdemeanor offense, they face up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine. However, the Santa Ana City Attorney’s Office can reduce the charges to an infraction that doesn’t carry any times behind bars.

That is exactly what the City Attorney should do. And the equipment and materials that were seized by the SAPD should be returned to the defendants.

The people of California voted years ago to make medical marijuana legal.  Santa Ana should have found a way to legalize medical marijuana dispensaries years ago. Shame on our lame City Council for sitting on their hands until the medical marijuana community forced their hands with their own ballot measure last year.

The real problem in our city is not medical marijuana dispensaries but rather the gangs who sell drugs illegally on our streets.  The SAPD should focus on shutting down the gangs instead of harassing the medical marijuana community.