In California cannabis news: A woman accused of running a cannabis empire sues California city for creating cannabis monopolies. Months after the police shut down and raided her grow house that allegedly made millions per month, Stephanie Smith asserts that San Bernardino’s new marijuana licensing ordinance is unfair to certain cannabis businesses.
The Massive Grow House
Last December, Stephanie Smith became famous for her ‘weed fortress‘ in San Bernadino. After locals complained to police and authorities discovered that a ‘derelict’ warehouse was paying $67,000 per month for electricity, the police began an investigation.
What the police found was a massive grow facility. Someone had installed a twelve-foot fence, concrete walls, a high tech surveillance system and fortified doors.
Not only that, but the police seized 35,000 marijuana plants, which amounts to 18,000 pounds. San Bernadino police officer Mike Madden told CBS News, “In my 26 years, it was the biggest grow that I’ve ever seen.”
Authorities Have Not Charged Smith
Despite her connection to the grow house, Stephanie Smith has not charged with a crime. The mother of five has positioned herself as a real estate developer, rather than a cannabis grower. Smith claims that she rents the space to tenants who grow commercial cannabis.
Her lawyer said, on her behalf: “I am a well-known and recognized leader in large-scale cannabis real estate development and I am proud of the State of California’s position on cannabis.”
Though Smith hasn’t faced any charges, eight grow house employees were initially arrested.
Smith Is Suing San Bernardino
A few months after the police raided these massive weed facilities, this woman accused of running a cannabis empire sues California city. This month, San Bernardino approved a regulation that only allows the city