Santa Ana Ordered to Pay $100,000 for Medical Cannabis Raid, Dismiss Charges
The city of Santa Ana, California,has been ordered to pay $100,000 to a medical cannabis dispensary they raided last year. During the raid police officers were caught on hidden video eating snacks and making fun of a handicapped woman.
As part of the settlement agreement, the city has also been ordered to dismiss misdemeanor charges against a dozen people accused of unlawfully operating Sky High Holistic.
According to the Orange County Register, the settlement proceeds will be divided among Marla and David James, who are volunteers at Sky High, and Dr. Bradley Idelshon, whose nearby office was left powerless and water-less during the raid (he is not affiliated with the dispensary).
“The settlement of civil rights claims and dismissal of criminal actions shows Santa Ana is taking responsibility for improper actions it took, including the raid of Sky High Holistic, in support of its lottery-based marijuana regulation ordinance, says attorney Matthew Pappas, who represents Sky High Holistic.
Pappas said he is continuing to pursue petitions in Orange County Superior Court for return of money and items seized in the raid and a lawsuit that seeks other unspecified monetary damages.
Hoe
This is one case that I wish the feds would imprison a few pot users for violating federal pot laws.