Dispensary Landlord Ordered to Pay $250k in Fines, Shut Down Remaining Cooperatives

Failure to do so could also get the property owner a contempt of court charge.

The San Diego City Attorney's Office has been awarded a $250,000 judgement against a landlord that allowed marijuana dispensaries to operate out of his buildings, despite the city's orders not to.

John I. Nobel was ordered to pay the fines - the largest penalty the city attorney's office has ever obtained - to cover $80,000 of a previous judgement, investigative costs reaching $8,000 and the new judgement for not complying with the first decision, the city attorney's office said.

"In cases where dispensaries operate outside of the law, we will continue to hold the operators and property owners accountable for the illegal activities," City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said. "...And we will seek the highest penalties the courts will allow."

Nobel's initial assessment reached a total of $550,000, but $300,000 was suspended, so long as he complies with the requirements this time.

Nobel is required to close any remaining dispensaries operating out of his properties unlawfully and remove their fixtures and signage. Failure to do so could also get Nobel a contempt of court charge.

"This case underscores that landlords will be held accountable for renting to illegal marijuana dispensaries," Goldsmith said.

The city attorney's office has spent the past four years exposing and shutting down illegally operated marijuana dispensaries. During that time, Nobel had dispensaries running unlawfully out of his properties in North Park, Pacific Beach and Point Loma, they said.

Four dispensaries on Rosecrans Street were operating 600 feet from a school, which is an immediate violation of the zoning laws for marijuana cooperatives.

"There is a process in place for legally zoned dispensaries and that process should be followed," Goldsmith said.

Five more defendants were included in the 12 cases. While Nobel was named in every case, the complaints also named Mahin Nobel. Some said Parviz Hakakha, Judith Hakakha, David Abeles and Melody Abeles were all co-owners, according to the report from the city attorney's office.

The cases resolved in the $250,000 settlement are listed here with principal defendents in parentheses:

  • San Diego Organic Wellness, 1150 Garnet Avenue (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel)
  • Golden West Collective, 2603 University Avenue (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel)
  • Fresh Alternative Consulting, Inc., 3045 Rosecrans #208 (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel, Parviz Hakakha, Judith Hakakha)
  • Green Wellness Association, Inc., 3045 Rosecrans #207 (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel, Parviz Hakakha, Judith Hakakha)
  • SB Health, Inc., 3045 Rosecrans #310 (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel, Parviz Hakakha, Judith Hakakha)
  • S.C.C.G., Inc., 3045 Rosecrans #214 (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel, Parviz Hakakha, Judith Hakakha)
  • PB 45 CAP, Inc., 4688 Cass Street (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel)
  • Organic Roots Delivery, Inc., 2603 University Avenue (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel)
  • Lemoin Corp, 936 Garnet Street (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel, David Abeles, Melody Abeles)
  • Patient Med Aid, 2015 Garnet Avenue (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel)
  • Dank on Turquoise, Inc., 841 Turquoise Street, (John Nobel, Mahin Nobel)

Complaints regarding marijuana dispensaries can be referred to the Code Enforcement Division of the city by calling (619) 236-5500.

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