For over 20 years Richard Lee has battled for marijuana law reform, and for much of that time he has lived with the threat of federal prosecution over his head. The raids on his businesses and the University he founded on Monday certainly brought that threat home, literally.

So Mr.Lee has decided to end the threat by handing over control of his medical marijuana endeavors – including the Oaksterdam University –  to others, freeing him from the spectre of federal prison. Oaksterdam U remains open, as does Blue Sky Coffeeshop, but his nursery is no more, decimated by the raids, his mother plants gone.

Some will say he quit, but he plans to continue his activism in other forms. Some will say this is a victory for the federal government, but in the end there is no way for Richard Lee to win on a personal level. Yes, marijuana will one day be legal, but Richard Lee rotting in prison is not the way to do it. And he was clearly breaking federal law, meaning the feds trumped his position from every angle.

There comes a time in each individuals life when they have to ask themselves, when is enough, enough?

How much are you willing to sacrifice, and will you realize when you have come to a point where more sacrifice won’t help?

Richard Lee has given much to the marijuana law reform movement, and we thank him for it. He does not need to give his life for it.

- Joe Klare