Two Lake Forest marijuana dispensaries face a July 6 contempt of court date after the city accused them of continuing to operate despite a judge’s order that the businesses close, the Orange County Register reported.
Damian Nassiri, a partner in the law firm HOWARD | NASSIRI, which also does business as the CANNABIS LAW GROUP, told the Register that he planned to file an appeal for a stay while appealing the order to close. The Los Angeles marijuana dispensary attorneys and Lake Forest dispensary lawyers at the CANNABIS LAW GROUP are representing more than a dozen marijuana dispensaries that are targeted for closure by local city ordinances.
The city filed the contempt of court request against Lake Forest Wellness Center and Collective and Health Collective Inc., accusing them of continuing to operate after being ordered to close. The city contends the businesses are operating in violation of the city’s zoning code.
More than 35 marijuana dispensaries were legally operating in Lake Forest before the city began the crackdown last fall. The city moved to close the businesses, which were operating in compliance with the state’s medical marijuana law. That law was passed in 1996 and permits businesses to dispense medical marijuana to patients who need it.
As we reported on our Marijuana Lawyer Blog, Attorney Nassiri filed suit in Superior Court in April, contending that the closures violate constitutional rights.
“Our client conducts its business and maintains operations under California’s Compassionate Use Act and the Medical Marijuana Program Act, which legally allows marijuana distribution to qualified patients with a valid doctor’s recommendation,” said Mr. Nassiri, “It’s the City’s officials who have violated our client’s constitutional rights.”
Last fall, the city issued an open letter to rental and commercial property owners, threatening criminal fines of $1,000 or more and up to six months in jail for collectives if landlords did not stop leasing to dispensaries.
“I know the subject of marijuana has been a taboo subject for a long time, but it’s a legal business” said Vincent Howard, who represents marijuana collectives throughout the Los Angeles area. “People should be allowed to move forward and open these businesses. It’s not up to the cities to change California law.”
The CANNABIS LAW GROUP represents medical marijuana patients, collectives and growers and has built a reputation for high-powered, aggressive legal representation of the medical marijuana industry in Southern California. Call 949-375-4734 for a confidential consultation to discuss your rights.