Small Claims Court Orders Dispensary to Pay Grower


A press release by Chris Van Hook, founder of Clean Green, a cannabis certifying company, announces that a small claims court judge has ordered a dispensary to recompense a grower for cannabis.  This could have far reaching consequences.

A recent decision by a Small Claims judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court [case no. 11sc01666] will have positive and far-reaching impacts on the ability of cannabis growers to seek agreed-upon reimbursement from collectives for their medicine, says California medical cannabis compliance lawyer Chris Van Hook, founder of the Clean Green Certified medical marijuana inspection program.
The plaintiff in the case was a grower of Clean Green Certified medical cannabis, David Nadeau, who brought his medicine to a collective in the Sacramento area. There he was given a collective/vendor agreement with the weights of his medicine being donated, as well as the reimbursement value and a date (two weeks in the future) by which the reimbursement was to occur. There was no dispute as to the amounts owed or the due date of the compensation, but after more than 30 days without reimbursement, and with the collective closing shop and moving locations, the plaintiff thought the time had come to file in the Sacramento Small Claims Division for breach of contract.
“The grower had provided medicine to the collective in good faith, and it had, in fact, been distributed to collective members and reimbursement had been received by the dispensary,” notes Van Hook. “It boiled down to an old-fashioned breach of contract case, not uncommon in all types of agricultural crop transactions.”
Judge John O’Donnell ruled in favor of the plaintiff, ordering the defendant to pay a total amount of $6,345.24, which included the principal amount plus costs. Judge O’Donnell allowed plaintiff to collect his money not only from the collective, but also the individual who he had the contract with and all business entities the defendant was affiliated with. After a 30-day appeal deadline had passed, the plaintiff was able to pursue payment.
Van Hook says growers facing similar nonpayment situations should consider pursuing small claims litigation. “Small claims court is a good choice, as you do not need to retain the services of an attorney,” he notes, adding, “but growers should keep in mind that the maximum amount of damages that can be brought in a small claims court is $7,500.00.”
“Individuals can look up ‘California Small Claims Court’ on the Internet, and they will find instructions as to how to file a small claims complaint. It is really very easy; however, good records should be assembled so that you can make your case clear to the court,” Van Hook suggests.
He advises other growers considering taking similar action to remember to make copies and keep records. “Know the material, because the judge will ask you questions, and you must be able to answer.”
“This case will have positive repercussions throughout the modern medical cannabis framework here in California,” notes Van Hook, pointing out that the collective model of fair and reasonable compensation for medical cannabis can only work if both parties honor the agreement. “This case has greater importance statewide as it was handed down in Sacramento, allowing unpaid growers/members to cite this case in the future.”

For more information about the Clean Green Certified program, call Chris Van Hook at (707) 218-6979

____________________

Hat tip to locally based 420news

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules

Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Uti
Guest
Uti
12 years ago

Great story Kym; thanks for posting it. I’m a big believer in the Small Claims Court process now after pursuing a claim (not MM related), winning and then going through the collection process. In Humboldt county you can get free help form an attorney that works for Superior Court and she will provide you with all the forms and a handbook at her short seminars at the courthouse. Additionally there are websites that will guide you through the process and fill out the forms online so you can print them out ready to file. The real work begins after you win and try to collect your judgment. Be persistent and make sure you know the deadlines and you will likely get your payment. In my case I was able to get a person’s driver’s license suspended indefinitely until she paid through the DMV because it was a case where she was at fault for a wreck and uninsured. There are other avenues available for collection from unwilling debtors. She was a grower and everyone who knew her and her partner said she had the money, but when her license was revoked she paid. It took me a year to collect from the time of the wreck.

Forest Queen
Guest
12 years ago

Extra good to read. Thanks.

Forest Queen
Guest
12 years ago

Extra good to read. Thanks.

trackback

California Medical Marijuana Dispensary And Growers Guidebook

[…] well as the reimbursement value and a date (two weeks in the future) by which t […]