Chief Federal Magistrate Maria-Elena James granted a motion to dismiss the City of Oakland’s lawsuit filed against the Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag. Oakland’s action sought to enjoin the U.S. attorney from proceeding to close Harborside Health Center, the nation’s premier medical cannabis dispensary.
Last July, U.S. Attorney General Melinda Haag initiated a civil forfeiture suit to seize the commercial property from the landlord’s where the dispensaries operate in Oakland and San Jose. Harborside Health Center is widely acclaimed as a model of legitimacy and legal compliance, and contributes annual combined tax revenues in excess of $3 million, over a million dollars of which goes directly to the City of Oakland.
“We are, of course, disappointed in today’s ruling,” said Steve DeAngelo, executive director of Harborside Health Center. “But the message of Oakland’s lawsuit remains powerful and relevant: the city council and mayor have determined that if Harborside Health Center is closed, the entire city will be harmed. We appreciate the ongoing support of our fellow citizens and elected officials, along with the fairness and thoroughness Judge James has exhibited throughout these proceedings. We continue to look forward to our own day in court, and are confident that a Bay Area jury will recognize Harborside’s positive contributions and decline to shut our doors. In the meantime, Harborside will continue to provide our patients with the very best cannabis medicines we can find, in the safest and most beautiful environment we can create, with the very highest level of care and service.”
“Harborside is grateful for the City of Oakland’s support in defending itself against the unwarranted forfeiture action filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office,” said Henry Wykowski, lead attorney for Harborside Health Center. “We hope that Oakland will continue to assist Harborside in defending its right to provide medical cannabis to its patients under the law of California.”
About Harborside Health Center:
Harborside Health Center is the nation’s largest not-for-profit model medical cannabis dispensary with locations in Oakland and San Jose, California. The collective was co-founded in 2006 by national cannabis leader Steve DeAngelo, and serves approximately 100,000 registered patients. A landmark facility, HHC offers patients free holistic health services, lab-tested medicine, a low-income care package program, substance misuse support and education, while strictly complying with state and local laws regarding medical cannabis. For more details, visit the Oakland medical cannabis dispensary online at https://www.harborsidehealthcenter.com/.
