Santa Rosa council member’s cannabis dispensary remains open a month after city ordered it closed

Eddie Alvarez said he hopes to resolve tax and state permitting requirements before the city takes further action to shut him down

Santa Rosa Council member Eddie Alvarez’s cannabis dispensary remains open nearly a month after the city ordered him to close for not having proper permits and state authorities sought to recoup tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid business taxes.

He has racked up 26 citations from the city with fees totaling $13,000 for staying open almost daily since the order was issued last month.

City Hall officials, meanwhile, are taking steps to seek a court injunction that would reinforce the closure order.

Alvarez said he is working to get back into compliance with local and state business requirements and hopes to do so soon before the city takes further action to shut him down.

“It’s my hope to be in good standing with all agencies prior to the need for more drastic efforts,” he said.

City code enforcement officials served a March 15 cease-and-desist order on his Russell Avenue business, The Hook, after learning his state seller’s permit to operate a retail business was inactive.

A city investigation also found he was in violation of several city codes related to the reporting and remittance of cannabis taxes.

Read more at the Press Democrat

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/santa-rosa-council-members-cannabis-dispensary-remains-open-a-month-after/

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