The largest marijuana dispensary in the world is Oakland, California's Harborside Health Center. The dispensary has been in the media a lot as of late fighiting for their right to keep its doors open and continue to provide medical marijuana for those with prescriptions. Last week the center saw a legal setback after a federal judge rejected a lawsuit filed on behalf of the dispensary to stay open. Proceedings have begun to shut it down in July for becoming too "big of an operation."
U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Maria-Elena James dismissed Oakland's suit against Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney Meilinda Haag who have tried close Harborside. It currently, remains open while challenging the feds.
Harborside's executive director, Steve DeAngelo said in a statement, "We are, of course, disappointed in today's ruling. In the meantime, Harborside will continue to provide our patients with the very best cannabis medicines we can find, in the safest and most beautiful environment we can create, with the very highest level of care and service."
Medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996 but as of late, the federal government has been cracking down on pot dispensaries in California since they are still illegal under federal law. In 2010 The Obama administration launched a crackdown on the medical marijuana industry in California and have closed hundreds of dispensaries, many in Oakland where dispensaries have flourished.
The Huffington Post reported that Oakland attorneys, in a court hearing last month, argued that closing Harborside would be a devastation to the well-being of patients who use the dispensary for health reasons and it would take a toll on Oakland's city revenue.
A counterattack from representatives from the Justice Department said that they had no case since Oakland does not own the building where Harborside is.
Harborside's website states that one of it's goals is to "protect medical cannabis patients by providing a safe and affordable alternative to the dangerous circumstances of the illegal drug market."
A video released by Harborside patients in September showed concern that they would be forced to access marijuana illegally and potentially dangerously if the dealership is closed. "I'm 61," one person in the video says. "I have multiple sclerosis. If Harborside is forced to close, where will I get my medicine?"
This is the first time in that a local government has taken action on behalf of a pot dispensary, notes The Huffington Post.
"Leaders of Oakland should be commended for standing up to the federal government's threats against the city's medical marijuana program, which creates jobs and generates tax revenue," Marijuana Majority's Tom Angell said to The Huffington Post. "This ruling is a setback, but advocates will continue the battle."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
