The Chula Vista Police Department is working to close several medical marijuana dispensaries that continue to pop up the South Bay, despite a 2011 city council ordinance that prohibits them within city limits.
On Monday, CVPD Captain Lon Turner told NBC 7 they’re working to shut down three marijuana shops, one of which is near Feaster Charter School.
That dispensary at the corner of Broadway and E Street is identified as the Nature’s Leaf Collective by flyers inside, but no outdoor signs give an indication of what the building might hold, and the windows are painted black.
Turner said the police department is aware of the shop and they’re working with the City Attorney’s Office to close it. The property’s owners were sent a cease and desist letter by the city attorney two weeks ago.
“In addition to the cease and desist order, there are also legal remedies through the civil process to take them to court,” said Turner.
The dispensary owner’s attorney, Lance Rogers, said his client hasn’t had any correspondence with the city.
According to Turner, the business plan for the dispensaries seems to be open without permission and operate as long as possible.
“Sometime they will open up businesses, and they will wait to receive attention from authorities, and then they’ll close their business down,” said Turner. “It can be profitable.”
Rogers would not say if his client received permission from the city to operate a marijuana dispensary.
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NBC 7’s efforts to talk with the owner of the Nature’s Leaf Collective directly were unsuccessful.
