Weed Dispensary Takes California City To Court Over Opening Delays Resulting In Steep Costs

California cannabis boutique High Seas filed a Writ of Mandate against Costa Mesa earlier this month to compel the city to allow the dispensary to open its doors.

The company said the delay is costing it well over $110,000 per month in fees, including retaining several “highly valued employees” on salary. The High Seas dispensary initially planned to open its doors to the public on Sept. 26, 2023, pending receipt of its cannabis business permit to commence operations.

The city has failed to provide High Seas with any valid written justification for their refusal to issue the final permit, the Costa Mesa-based company said.

According to a press release, the company underwent a two-year application process that included successfully securing a state cannabis business license, a city business license, and a conditional use permit through a public hearing, as well as obtaining a building permit and completing all city inspections.

"Despite High Seas' multiple attempts to open a line of communication to try and resolve this situation, the city of Costa Mesa has unfairly and capriciously withheld the issuance of this final permit without justifiable cause, inflicting substantial financial hardship on our business and preventing it from serving our community and contributing to our local economy," said Rachel Xin, High Seas co-founder and a majority holder of the business.

High Seas reported spending over $10 million to purchase and improve the building, the parking lot and upgrading the interior infrastructure.

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