Pubdate: Tue, 04 Dec 2012 Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Copyright: 2012 Hearst Communications Inc. Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1 Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388 Author: Matthai Kuruvila Page: C2 ATTEMPT TO EVICT POT DISPENSARY BY LANDLORD DENIED BY JUDGE An Alameda County Superior Court judge denied a landlord's attempt to evict a prominent Oakland medical cannabis dispensary. The landlord had been under pressure from the federal government to evict the tenant, Harborside Health Center - or face forfeiture of her $2 million property. The landlord, Ana Chretien, owner of ABC Security, one of the East Bay's most politically powerful security companies, tried to evict the center on grounds that it was violating federal drug law. But Judge Evilio Grillo said the landlord could not use that justification because the court's jurisdiction only covers state law. Melinda Haag, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, began proceedings in July to seize the property under federal laws prohibiting the distribution of marijuana. Her action prompted the landlords for Harborside's two locations - in Oakland and San Jose - to show they are trying to oust the dispensary. Both landlords also are seeking cease-and-desist motions in federal court to stop Harborside from selling medical marijuana. A hearing on that issue is expected to be held on Dec. 20. While the Alameda County judge ruled in favor of Harborside, the Santa Clara County Superior Court judge on Nov. 1 allowed eviction proceedings to continue. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt