The City of Laguna Niguel vs. Local Marijuana Dispensary

and may not be the only pharmacies in Laguna Niguel where patients can go to have their prescriptions filled. A clinic known as Suite A operates at the corner of Crown Valley Parkway and Niguel Road and provides a place for those with a medicinal marijuana license to fill their prescription.

The medicinal clinic has been operating at its current location for almost two and a half years, according to a store employee who wishes to be addressed as “Budtender Jamie." Budtender is the official title of a person who handles the marijuana when filling prescriptions.

Recently, the after passage of a city ordinance banning medical marijuana clinics.

"l is aware of the marijuana dispensary. We consider the dispensary to be operating illegally in violation of our zoning code and have initiated litigation to close it,” said City Manager, Tim Casey.

However, Suite A tells a very different story.

“We have a license to be here. The city should not be able to tell us that we can operate here and then change their minds,” said Budtender Jamie. “We are open to a discussion with the city.”

The to ban medical marijuana dispensaries permanently in Laguna Niguel. The ordinance requires all zoning districts within the city limits to prohibit dispensaries. This permanent ban followed two temporary bans that were partially in response to a 2008 that occurred at a dispensary on Forbes Road. That dispensary closed last year.

Police raided the medical marijuana clinic last year on Nov. 15, according to Jamie.

“They took everything out of our store including the marijuana, our patient list and operation records. The authorities had search warrants for my house, as well as the residences of four other workers,” said Jamie. “They have one year from the day of the raid to file charges if any illegal activities were taking place. To this day no charges have been filed.”

The matter of Suite A vs. the city of Laguna Niguel is still pending litigation.