LOS ANGELES — A Hacienda Heights landlord thought he was renting to a clothing store — only to find an illegal cannabis dispensary operating in his space. Andy Pang says after giving the tenant access in May, the locks were changed, and flyers advertised free cannabis with purchases. Eviction proceedings are still ongoing.
What You Need to Know
- A Spectrum News investigation found at least 20 unlicensed cannabis dispensaries operating across Southern California.
- Some operators use stolen identities and shell companies to lease retail spaces.
- Eviction cases can be slow, allowing dispensaries to continue operating even after landlords take legal action.
- Licensed dispensaries face strict regulations, while unlicensed stores operate largely unregulated and may pose health risks to customers.
Eviction attorney Avi Sinai, who has handled cases involving illegal cannabis shops, encourages landlords to research tenants thoroughly and monitor red flags. “From my experience, any tenant with significant litigation history, with more than two or three cases, is probably going to be problematic,” Sinai said.
Landlords face challenges navigating the eviction process, particularly when tenants use aliases or shell companies, which can allow unlicensed dispensaries to continue operating despite legal action.
Read the full Spectrum News story here.
