DC Hemp Politics

D.C.'s Capitol Hemp Stores Raided

Updated: Thursday, 27 Oct 2011, 11:40 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 27 Oct 2011, 10:56 PM EDT

Maureen Umeh
maureen.umeh@foxtv.com

By MAUREEN UMEH/ myfoxdc

WASHINGTON - The owner of a D.C.'s Capitol Hemp says the police raid of his two stores in Adams Morgan and Chinatown Wednesday night was politically motivated.

Adam Eidinger says his store is being targeted because of his opposition to a proposed luxury hotel development.

Six employees and one customer were arrested and hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise was confiscated.

Everyone arrested was eventually released and the charges of possession with intent to distribute, lowered.

Capitol Hemp says sells clothing and food made from hemp, as well as tobacco and accessories.

Eidinger says his business in Adam's Morgan has been open for 4 years. The Chinatown location has been open for two years. He says there have never been any problems or violations.

He says, "I've been told if I speak out against this hotel I might lose my business. I guess yesterday was an attempt top shut me down."

D.C. police haven't said why they raided Capitol Hemp.

Eidinger is one of a growing number of people in Adam's Morgan who are opposed to a proposed 10-story luxury hotel that will be located behind a historic church at Euclid and Champlain Streets.

The developer is set to get $46 million tax abatement.

Eidinger says it's unfair.

He says the community could use a library instead. He and about 10 others staged a protest outside a planning and zoning meeting Thursday night.

"People in this neighborhood feel intimated by this hotel," Eidinger says, "They are ramming it down our throats."

Ward 1 Councilmember, Jim Graham supports the hotel.

He says, "It's not that there's money that's actually being used. We're saying if you open a hotel, you won't have to pay taxes."

Graham says he doesn't believe the raid at Capitol Hemp's two locations had anything to do with the development.

He says it's far from being a done deal.

"There's a lengthy public process, and hopefully the dialogue can be uplifted a little bit".
Eidinger says he will continue to speak out.

He isn't sure what it will mean for him or his business, but he says it's important that someone stand up against what he believes is corporate greed.

Eidinger says, "Our business paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes last year to local government. We're not getting tax breaks. Why is Marriott getting a break? We're sick of this."

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/dcs-capital-hemp-stores-raided-102711