SEATTLE, WA – Craig Douglas Dieffenbach, 61, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today to six years for running a drug-dealing operation disguised as a medical marijuana dispensary. Dieffenbach, owner of the now-defunct Seattle Cannabis Cooperative with locations in the Rainier Valley and Greenwood, pleaded guilty in August 2012 to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The sentence, handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Marsha J. Pechman, sends a clear message: exploiting loopholes won’t shield you from justice.
Federal prosecutors ripped apart Dieffenbach’s attempt to portray his business as a legitimate service for patients. Judge Pechman flatly rejected the claim that Dieffenbach was motivated by altruism, stating he simply saw a profit opportunity in the burgeoning marijuana market. U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan was blunt: “We have made clear that truly sick people and their caregivers will not be targets of our enforcement efforts. This defendant was neither,” she said. “A green cross in the front window does not grant a license to sell pounds of drugs out the back door.”
Court records reveal Dieffenbach wasn’t just serving patients; he was peddling pound quantities of marijuana to individuals lacking any legitimate medical authorization. His co-defendant and co-owner, Jing Jing Mo, 31, admitted to offering a staggering 25 pounds of marijuana for distribution across state lines. The pair didn’t stop at distribution, either. They actively laundered the profits, funneling cash into home modifications specifically designed to facilitate marijuana production – a classic sign of a criminal enterprise.
The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), also uncovered connections to other drug traffickers, including one dealing in large amounts of ecstasy. DEA Special Agent in Charge Matthew G. Barnes warned, “Marijuana traffickers continue to have a stranglehold on this state,” emphasizing the DEA’s commitment to disrupting these networks. This wasn’t a case of compassionate care; it was a calculated effort to profit from illegal drug sales.
Mo, Dieffenbach’s accomplice, is scheduled to be sentenced next month. Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid case based on evidence of illegal sales and money laundering. The bust underscores the federal government’s continued crackdown on those who exploit the medical marijuana system for personal gain. The Seattle Cannabis Cooperative is now just a footnote in a growing list of failed attempts to legitimize illegal drug operations.
This case serves as a grim reminder that while state laws may be evolving, federal law still holds firm when it comes to drug trafficking. The DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are sending a clear message: attempting to hide behind the veneer of legitimacy won’t protect you from federal prosecution. Dieffenbach will also serve four years of supervised release following his prison term.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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