On 4/20, Compton officials announce shutdown of 9 illegal marijuana dispensaries in the city

On April 20, 2023, Compton’s Illegal Dispensaries Task Force—comprising the City Attorney, County Sheriff’s Department, Code Enforcement, Enso Law LLP, and others—announced the shutdown of nine illegal marijuana dispensaries. The same press event also revealed more than 30 lawsuits filed against the illicit operators, their landlords, and the banks or lenders backing them. Task force efforts included placing properties under court-appointed receivership and seeking penalties exceeding $22 million from at least one unlicensed operator and its landlord—a potential landmark judgment in L.A. County. This action underscores Compton’s resolute stand for public safety—citing links between these dispensaries and violent crime, unregulated cash operations, and community harm—reflecting the city’s legal and enforcement strategy to uphold the voters’ 2018 ban on cannabis storefronts