SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The San Diego City Attorney's Office Code Enforcement Unit filed a civil complaint in Superior Court to force a medical marijuana dispensary in North Park to shut down because it was operating illegally under city zoning laws, it was announced Friday.
The complaint against Central Wellness Collective, at 2621 El Cajon Boulevard, was filed Thursday.
Officials with the City Attorney's Office said the business was ordered to cease operations in July after inspectors spotted marijuana displayed in glass jars and glass cabinets, a menu board listing the types of marijuana available for sale and building code violations. The business has since remained open, so the case was referred to the City Attorney's Office.
"The City Attorney's Office began renewing its enforcement action on dispensaries,'' City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said. "The municipal code does not permit dispensaries in any zone and we will enforce the law to close their operation.''
According to the complaint, the the property owners, Malcolm Family Properties LLC and its managers are liable because they allowed the dispensary to operate on the property. Dispensaries are banned in the city, per zoning laws.
Former Mayor Bob Filner, who resigned in August, was a supporter of medical marijuana and refused to enforce the zoning ordinances. However, Interim Mayor Todd Gloria ordered the San Diego Police Department and the city's Neighborhood Code Compliance Office to resume enforcing medical marijuana zoning restrictions earlier this month.
