from what i could glean, it appears that costa mesa told him he wasn't allowed to open a dispensary and he just said fuck it and proceeded.*
The McKeens are both 39-year-old, card-carrying medical-marijuana patients. After a monetary windfall came their way via a court settlement, they decided to ditch their real-estate careers and invest in a dispensary. But when they tried to get a business license, they found their mellow harshed by City Hall. Costa Mesa has outlawed dispensaries since 2005.
http://www.ocweekly.com/2010-05-20/news/otherside-farms-chadd-mckeen-medical-marijuana/
"The Police Department is proud to have been able to assist the DEA with this operation," said Costa Mesa police Lt. Bryan Glass. "In regards to any statements, we have to listen to the audio to put them in the proper context to evaluate them."
The U.S. attorney's office announced in October that it was coming after marijuana dispensaries statewide, specifically those that were in clear violation of the state's medicinal use laws
"Marijuana is authorized under state law for patients and marijuana can be provided by their primary caregiver," said Thom Mrozek, the spokesman for the U.S. attorney office's Los Angeles district. "And what a primary caregiver does not mean is primary dope dealer. Any transaction between a primary caregiver and patient has to be nonprofit ... and there's profit being generated by these stores."
According to the federal affidavit, McKeen told a Costa Mesa code enforcement officer inspecting the business last year that he was prepared to give the city $250,000 after his first year of operation, and $500,000 every year after, as a donation to the city.
http://articles.dailypilot.com/2012-01-18/news/tn-dpt-0119-marijuana-20120118_1_marijuana-dispensaries-marijuana-plants-otherside-farms
Chadd McKeen, the
Weekly's current cover boy (
"Growing Pains at Otherside Farms"), is not only working to change people's perception of medical marijuana providers through his Costa Mesa business that helps patients grow their own. He's also working to change the Costa Mesa City Council. "I am the man with the plan!" McKeen says.
Since 2005, Costa Mesa has banned medical marijuana dispensaries. City police and code enforcement officers have served cease and desist orders on clinics. In at least a couple cases, operators were arrested and property was removed as evidence. This has led to a legal tug-of-war between the city and some patients and providers.
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2010/05/chadd_mckeen_costa_mesa_counci.php