Jones & Mayer attorney says decision vindicates what they have been fighting for on behalf of Costa Mesa. A federal appeals court decided Monday that cities do not violate the federal rights of the disabled when they shut down medical marijuana dispensaries - a ruling praised by Costa Mesa's legal counsel. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by severely disabled Californians who were authorized by their physicians to use marijuana for medical purposes. [continues 361 words]
Newport Beach officials have decided to take legal action, and possibly shut down, three medical marijuana clinics for alleged city code violations. Last week, according to Newport Beach spokeswoman Tara Finnigan and meeting minutes, the City Council authorized staff during a closed session to begin so-called nuisance abatement proceedings against three clinics: West Coast Cure (2814 W. Newport Blvd.), Nature's Alternative Solutions (3400 Irvine Ave., No. 117) and The Healing Tree (4120 Birch St.). The city's zoning code doesn't allow people to operate a facility that violates federal law, said City Atty. David Hunt. [continues 164 words]
