DA’S COUNTYWIDE CANNABIS REGULATION TASK FORCE SERVES WARRANTS

HEMET – The DA’s countywide Cannabis Regulation Task Force served search warrants at two illegal dispensaries – one in the City of Hemet and one in an unincorporated area near Hemet.

The search warrants were served on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at a location called Herbs and Essential Oils, 102 E. Mayberry Ave., in the city of Hemet, and at Wicked Greens, 41311 E. Florida Ave., in an unincorporated county area near Hemet.

 
Members of the Cannabis Regulation Task Force seized about 10 pounds of finished marijuana product in total from both locations. Cease and desist orders were served at both locations.

Cannabis dispensaries are illegal in the City of Hemet as well as in any unincorporated area of Riverside County. 

The purpose of the Cannabis Regulation Task Force, which is operated by the DA’s Office, is to protect properly licensed legal cannabis businesses and enforce regulatory requirements which protect the environment and consumers.  

The aim of the task force is not to shut down legally operating facilities, but rather to ensure fair business practices and keep criminal activity out of the legal cannabis industry and out of our communities. When dispensaries operate without following the law or regulations, their unfair business practices impact those dispensaries which are obeying the law. Illegal or unlicensed dispensaries also may be providing customers with untested and potentially harmful products.  

The Cannabis Regulation Task Force will continue its investigations into all unlicensed and illegal dispensaries in Riverside County.  

Agencies currently on the task force include the DA’s Bureau of Investigation, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the Hemet Police Department, the Riverside Police Department, and the Temecula Police Department. Also assisting in today’s operation were personnel from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.