HomeMy WebLinkAbout29A - MMD ENFORCEMENT UPDATEi
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
APRIL 21, 2015
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
TITLE: I APPROVED
RECEIVE AND FILE THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA 0 As Recommended
As
DISPENSARY ENFORCEMENT PLAN UPDATE E3 OrAmended
REPORT [] Ordinance on 9" Reading
� Ordinance on 2nd Reading
(STRATEGIC PLAN NO, 1, 1) 0 Implementing Resolution
C7 Set Public Hearing For
Receive and file the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Enforcement Plan update report.
D Si CUSSION
On November 4; 2014, the voters of the City of Santa Ana approved Measure BB (Ordinance No.
NS -2884) to regulate the establishment, operation and taxation of Medical Marijuana Collectives
and Cooperatives. On November 18, 2014 and in response to the voter approved measure, the
City Council approved the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (MMD) Enforcement Plan to
effectively provide for the closure of illegal medical marijuana dispensaries and to ensure the
monitoring of permitted collectives /cooperatives operating legally under Measure BB.
Since the adoption of Ordinance NS -2884, the City's Planning and Building Agency, Police
Department, and the City Attorney's Office have been working collectively on the implementation
and enforcement policies of Measure BB, As adopted last November, the various forms of
enforcement include the investigation of illegal medical marijuana dispensaries, the regulation of
permitted medical marijuana collectives /cooperatives, the imposition of administrative fines when
appropriate, and the disconnection of utilities when warranted.
In addition to issuing citations for violations of the law, the Santa Ana Police Department has
participated in the implementation of Measure BB and will complete undercover Investigations
related to illegal medical marijuana collectives and cooperatives, seek the apprehension of
criminals, and sere illegal contraband. Since February 2015, the Santa Ana Police
Department's medical marijuana task force, in collaboration with the Community Preservation
Division, has investigated and closed six illegal marijuana grow operations and seized an
estimated $8 million of marijuana.
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Medical Marijuana Dispensary Enforcement Plan
April 21, 2015
Page 2
Over the past six months, as a follow -up to Community Preservation initiated enforcement efforts,
the City Attorney's Office has negotiated the closure of various illegal medical marijuana
dispensaries and gained the cooperation of property owners to evict dispensaries. As a result of
these efforts, the City has recouped enforcement costs of over $50,000. The City Attorney's
Office will continue its efforts of filing criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits to obtain compliance
with the law and seek fines, civil penalties, and attorneys' fees to recoup costs as allowed by law.
City staff has worked diligently, cooperatively, and effectively to implement and enforce the voter
approved measure and the enforcement plan and will continue Its efforts to close illegal medical
marijuana dispensaries.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGN EN
This item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #1 Community Safety, Objective #1 (Modernize
the Community Policing philosophy to improve customer service, crime prevention and traffic/
pedestrian /bicycle safety).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
Carlos Rojas
Chief of Police
Santa Ana Police Department
Sonia R. Carvalho
City Attorney
Vince Fregoso, A4P
Interim ExeCUtiVdUF06t0r
Planning & Building Agency
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