NEWPORT BEACH TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MARIJUANA CLINICS

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.

"Nobody can engage in illegal practices," Hunt said. "It's in
violation with the federal law, and we're just going to take that position."

West Coast Cure manager Jerett Wasserman said his store had yet to be
notified about the city's action.

"They didn't even let us know," Wasserman said.

Wasserman said he hasn't yet heard any complaints from residents about
the shop's presence in the area and has heard good things from
neighbors. Wasserman said those neighbors felt the building housing
West Coast Cure was a "party house" and a constant noise disturbance
before his business set up shop in it.

Now because of regular store hours, the noise has decreased in the
area, Wasserman said.

"No one is loitering outside. We do everything by the book," Wasserman
said. "We're trying to abide by laws ... but we're not going to leave.
We're here to fight for our patients."