, Calif., was forced to shutter its doors for good.

For years, the owner of the collective in question pushed for Upland to lift its ban against medical marijuana. But the city has repeatedly fought back, working aggressively to close illegal dispensaries. Upland spent roughly $4.5 million on legal fees since 2014 and closed 24 illegal operations along the way, according to an article from the Daily Bulletin.

This particular owner, though, was characterized as a thorn in the city’s side throughout the process. He helped lead the charge in getting Measure U on the city’s November 2016 ballot, which was designed to ease up restrictions and pave the way for three medical dispensaries in Upland.

He assisted in collecting signatures and fighting tough legal battles to get the measure on the ballot. The California Cannabis Coalition took the matter all the way up to the California Supreme Court, which ruled the city must put Measure U up to vote in a special election. However despite all those efforts, the voters of Upland did not get on board, voting down the measure.To add extra salt in the wound, voters passed Measure E in June 2017, which granted Upland officials the power to ban most cannabis-related activity.

Our Riverside marijuana dispensary attorneys admire the efforts of this owner and the California Cannabis Coalition to fight for marijuana access for patients and residents of Upland. We know the benefits dispensaries, like the ones that closed in Upland, brought those who depended on medical cannabis, as well as those who had hopes of more access after the passing of Proposition 64, which opened the gates for recreational marijuana in the state. Cities throughout California have begun the process of putting guidelines in place and screening applications for commercial marijuana businesses, while other cities, like Upland, have established citywide bans.

We also know it’s far better for marijuana businesses to work with local and state governments rather than against them in order to minimize damages and optimize success. Our Riverside attorneys are keeping a close eye on ordinances being passed throughout Southern California in the wake of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act as well as all of the restrictions surrounding medical sales and use.

We are well-equipped to guide you in choosing a location and establishing a collective the proper way to ensure success under the evolving laws. We can help you get the proper licenses, set up a business plan, or defend you should you find yourself in violation of the law. We also will keep you informed on the latest happenings on the federal level, where the future of the marijuana industry is much less certain under the current administration.

Meanwhile, the Upland owner agreed to shut down his dispensary Jan. 1 and pay the city $100,000 in exchange for the removal of two citations against him. He also agreed not to open and establishment at that location or anywhere else in the city in the future.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Upland Strikes Pact to Shutter Illegal Marijuana Dispensary, $100,000 Settlement, Dec. 24, 2017, By Liset Marquez, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

More Blog Entries:

Cannabis Businesses Could be the Next Great American Industry, May 23, 2017, L.A. Marijuana Lawyer Blog

businesses opening their doors.

Los Angeles city council approved guidelines for the sale of recreational marijuana late in 2017, and the city hoped to have the regulations put in place by the roll-out of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act on Jan. 1, 2018. However, the city now says it needs extra time to establish the intricate rules.

Therefore, Los Angeles could not start accepting applications right away. Additionally, it usually takes weeks for a business to receive a license and meet standards with local and state officials.Cities throughout California are kicking off sales of recreational marijuana now that it has become legal statewide. However, individual districts have been given the right to reject the state law or control over how they would like to have it implemented in their city. Kern County, for example, banned recreational use and sales altogether.

In March 2017, voters in Los Angeles passed (with 80 percent of the vote) a ballot measure that would get the ball rolling on establishing a marketplace in the city, joining other major areas in the state that have approved commercial sales, such as San Diego, San Jose, Santa Cruz, and West Hollywood, according to the Associated Press.

But it wasn’t until much later in the year that city officials came to an agreement on the necessary guidelines. In the meantime, hundreds of dispensaries have been shut down in Los Angeles as owners tried to get a foothold without the proper licensing.

Officials say it isn’t just the storefronts in Los Angeles that have a ways to go. Details still need to be ironed out with the growers and distributors and how specifically those aspects of the business will be governed and managed. This has left local growers and sellers nervous that they will be at a disadvantage to establishments in other cities who are already able to start operations.

Our Los Angeles marijuana business attorneys are on top of the latest in regulations by the city of Los Angeles, as well as throughout the state of California. It is important if you want to successfully apply to run a cannabis business in Los Angeles that you seek counsel from experienced legal professionals in the industry who will make sure all of your bases are covered. Compliance with the law can make or break your company. If you are found in violation of a regulation, it can be very costly or cause you to lose the business you worked so hard to build.

At its core, California hopes that recreational marijuana will be managed in a similar fashion to alcohol, with an age restriction of 21 or older and cities having the freedom to issue licenses as they see fit. Where recreational activity has not been banned, adults will be allowed to possess one ounce and have six plants in their homes. In Los Angeles, pot businesses would mostly be forbidden in residential neighborhoods. Areas around parks, schools, and libraries would also be off limits.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Los Angeles won’t join California’s legal pot party Jan. 1, Dec, 22, 2017, By Michael R. Blood, Associated Press

More Blog Entries:

L.A. Slated to Become Largest U.S. City with Legalized Recreational Marijuana, Dec. 7, 2017, L.A. Marijuana Attorney Blog