TEMECULA – When the Temecula Police Department joined the DA’s countywide Cannabis Regulation Task Force exactly two months ago today, there were 16 illegal cannabis dispensaries operating within city limits. 

As of today, April 26, 2019, there are no known cannabis dispensaries operating in the city, where it is illegal to operate dispensaries. The City of Temecula does not license any cannabis dispensaries.

 
Over that two-month period, the Cannabis Regulation Task Force served 10 search warrants at eight different illegally operating dispensaries. Two locations were served twice after reopening after the first search warrant was served. Several other illegally operating dispensaries voluntarily closed during those two months.

 
Search warrants and cease and desist orders were served at the following locations in Temecula: Golden State on Commerce Center Drive, Temecula Healing Center on Roick Drive, Temecula Valley Patient Care on Roick Drive, Bud Buddies on Remington Avenue, Karma Collective on Remington Avenue, 420 Friends on Zevo Drive, High Society Social Club on Via Montezuma, and Kings of Cannabis on Business Park Drive. 

During the service of the search warrants, 232 pounds of finished cannabis product was seized. All investigations are active and ongoing. The cases are under review for possible filing of criminal charges.

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

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 the various operations were personnel from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.