City Officials Shut Down Medical Marijuana Collective in Centerville, Owner Faces Federal Charges

A three-month investigation led to the shutdown of a Centerville medical marijuana collective. Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputies obtained a search warrant for the collective, Herbal Solutions, after accusing the shop of opening its door after the Fresno County Board of Supervisors passed legislation banning any more collectives from opening in the area, according to KMPH. The owner of that collective could now be facing federal charges for operating the collective within 1,000 feet of a school.

During the raid, local officers confiscated approximately 30 marijuana plants, a number of pipes and other items from the collective. One of the shop’s employees was arrested after officers searched her home and located another 500 marijuana plants.

Our Orange County medical marijuana attorneys understand that new medical marijuana dispensaries in Fresno County are banned. The Fresno County Board of Supervisors recently passed an ordinance with a 4-1 vote that would prevent the businesses from operating within the county’s limits. There are currently 15 dispensaries operating in the county and the new ban says that they all have to close up shop within the next 7 month.

The new ordinance does allow the medicinal plant to be grown indoors in a select few industrial areas. These areas are required to be at least 1,000 feet from schools and from neighborhoods, according to CBS 47.

Local officials will be meeting with dispensary owners and medical marijuana patients to discuss the transition. Comments and concerns will be addressed from the public regarding any additional changes that should be made to the new ordinance.

Many residents rely on these companies to receive their medical treatments. Patients who are a part of the Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) have to able to, as per their physician’s recommendation, obtain and consume the product.

According to the MMP, there have been nearly 56,000 medical marijuana cards distributed in the state of California since 2004.

Medical marijuana has been known to be effective in the treatment of:

-Anxiety
-Diabetes
-Chemotherapy side effects

-Gastrointestinal illness
-Glaucoma, Fibromyalgia

-Migraines
-Inflammatory Bowel Disease
-Neurogenic pain
-Memory disorders
-Asthma
The MMP has been allowing deserving patients to obtain and consume the medicinal plant thanks to Senate Bill 420, Proposition 215 and the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The program started back in May of 2005 when it was launched as a pilot project in only 3 California counties. Just three months later it was released as a statewide program.

The industry is now problems from conflicting state and federal regulations — and from the encroachment of city and county ordinances. As the government parties continue to battle over regulation of the industry, medical marijuana facilities are forced to operate in limbo with the risks of shutdown around every corner.

The CANNABIS LAW GROUP is a law firm dedicated to the rights of 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.

Additional Resources:

Fresno county bans medical marijuana dispensaries, by Alicia Coates, CBS 47
More Blog Entries:

Individual Counties Regulate Medical Marijuana in Los Angeles and Elsewhere, Marijuana Lawyer Blog, August 10, 2011

Shop Providing Medical Marijuana in North Hollywood Shut Down by City Officials, Marijuana Lawyer Blog, August 9, 2011