Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
On January 24, the City of Dana Point red-tagged and closed three medical marijuana dispensaries citing municipal code violations including, lack of or invalid Certificates of Occupancy and fire/life safety issues at the facilities.
City Attorney Patrick Munoz confirmed that all three businesses—Point Alternative Care, Holistic Health Collective and Beach Cities Collective—were sent letters a few weeks ago issued by the city informing each that they had until last Thursday, January 20 to correct the violations.
None of the dispensaries complied and officials closed all three by action of the city’s Building and Safety Division.
“The city has posted notices to vacate based on fire/life, safety conditions that existed at all three locations,” said Munoz. “Because of these violations, the utilities at all three have been shut off and the buildings have been red-tagged until such time that the violations are corrected.”
The fire/life safety issues included ingress and egress violations and unpermitted improvements. Red-tags signify that building and safety codes are not in compliance and the red-tagged building has been deemed unsuitable for safe habitation.
Certificate of Occupancy violations were said to include Beach Cities Collective operating without a certificate and Point Alternative and Holistic Health operating with certificates that incorrectly listed the businesses as health food stores or convenience stores that carry health related products. The incorrect certificates held by Point Alternative Care and Holistic Health have been revoked.
A recorded message on the phone line of Holistic Health Collective by President Garrison Williams began greeting callers today with a message voicing his displeasure with the city’s actions. Williams’ message says, in part, “The City of Dana Point has once again attacked your collective and made numerous lies and claims to the local authorities…This is the biggest joke and the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of…By the City of Dana Point continuing to attack your collective, you are unable to obtain your access to safe medication…”
Williams’ message goes on to refer to city officials as “liars and false accusers” and asks for members of the collective to go to City Council meetings and get involved in the fight. “…Step up in front of the mic and let them know you’re not happy with them…,” he said.
This wasn’t the only action taken against collectives operating in Dana Point in the past week. “Last Friday [January 21] the Orange County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant at Point Alternative Care as part of a criminal investigation,” said Munoz.
The Dana Point Times was unable to reach an OCSD representative for comment on the search warrant.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: danapointtimes.com
Author: Andrea Swayne
Copyright: 2011 Dana Point Times
Contact: Dana Point Times
Website: City Red Tags and Closes Three Marijuana Dispensaries
City Attorney Patrick Munoz confirmed that all three businesses—Point Alternative Care, Holistic Health Collective and Beach Cities Collective—were sent letters a few weeks ago issued by the city informing each that they had until last Thursday, January 20 to correct the violations.
None of the dispensaries complied and officials closed all three by action of the city’s Building and Safety Division.
“The city has posted notices to vacate based on fire/life, safety conditions that existed at all three locations,” said Munoz. “Because of these violations, the utilities at all three have been shut off and the buildings have been red-tagged until such time that the violations are corrected.”
The fire/life safety issues included ingress and egress violations and unpermitted improvements. Red-tags signify that building and safety codes are not in compliance and the red-tagged building has been deemed unsuitable for safe habitation.
Certificate of Occupancy violations were said to include Beach Cities Collective operating without a certificate and Point Alternative and Holistic Health operating with certificates that incorrectly listed the businesses as health food stores or convenience stores that carry health related products. The incorrect certificates held by Point Alternative Care and Holistic Health have been revoked.
A recorded message on the phone line of Holistic Health Collective by President Garrison Williams began greeting callers today with a message voicing his displeasure with the city’s actions. Williams’ message says, in part, “The City of Dana Point has once again attacked your collective and made numerous lies and claims to the local authorities…This is the biggest joke and the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of…By the City of Dana Point continuing to attack your collective, you are unable to obtain your access to safe medication…”
Williams’ message goes on to refer to city officials as “liars and false accusers” and asks for members of the collective to go to City Council meetings and get involved in the fight. “…Step up in front of the mic and let them know you’re not happy with them…,” he said.
This wasn’t the only action taken against collectives operating in Dana Point in the past week. “Last Friday [January 21] the Orange County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant at Point Alternative Care as part of a criminal investigation,” said Munoz.
The Dana Point Times was unable to reach an OCSD representative for comment on the search warrant.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: danapointtimes.com
Author: Andrea Swayne
Copyright: 2011 Dana Point Times
Contact: Dana Point Times
Website: City Red Tags and Closes Three Marijuana Dispensaries
