Noozhawk: “Multi-agency operation targets illegal storefront dispensaries and grow sites, with three asset-forfeiture lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court. Federal authorities and Santa Barbara police served search warrants at a medical marijuana dispensary and a grow house this week, and sent warning letters to all pot storefronts in the county that are still in business, threatening federal enforcement action if they don’t close down, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department. . . . As part of the enforcement effort, three asset-forfeiture lawsuits were filed this week in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles alleging that the owners ‘either knowingly allowed commercial marijuana stores to operate or knowingly allowed a significant indoor marijuana farm to function,’ according to the statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the asset-forfeiture lawsuits were filed against the Miramar Collective in Summerland, Pacific Coast Collective and the indoor marijuana farm connected to Kessler.”
Note to Property Owners Considering Leasing to Arizona Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
The story above is a clear warning to landlords and property owners who allow or who are considering allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to operate on their real property. The federal government may seize the real estate and sue in federal court to take the land and its value from the owner.
The legal significance of the federal government now going after property owners extends beyond the loss of the property to the owners. This new government action should also have the very much intended consequence of shutting down medical marijuana dispensaries in every state that has legalized them.
