DA Settles Consumer Protection Suit Against Santa Rosa Medical Cannabis Dispensary For Lack of Prop 65 Warnings

District Attorney Jill Ravitch announced today that her office has settled a consumer protection suit brought under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (also known as “Proposition 65”) against Sonoma Patient Group, Inc. (“SPG”), the owner and operator of a Santa Rosa medical cannabis dispensary. The complaint alleges that SPG sold certain products that resulted in exposure to marijuana smoke, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, without first providing a clear and reasonable warning to consumers. The civil action was filed in Sonoma County Superior Court.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide critical warnings to consumers about potentially unsafe cancer-causing substances in the products they consume, so they can make informed decisions. My Office is committed to enforcing this important California law and to creating a level playing field for all businesses in this industry.”

Under the terms of the court-approved judgment, SPG is prohibited from selling the covered products without first providing a clear and reasonable warning to consumers that marijuana smoke is a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer. Additionally, SPG will fund, prepare, and provide a comprehensive educational program for individuals, businesses, and other organizations involved in the cannabis industry in Sonoma County regarding Proposition 65 compliance. Finally, SPG agreed to pay $40,000 in civil penalties and costs of investigation.

The District Attorney’s Office initiated an investigation and brought the action against SPG after receiving notice of an investigation conducted by the Center for Advanced Public Awareness, Inc., a private Proposition 65 enforcer. SPG cooperated fully in the investigation. Deputy District Attorney Matt Cheever handled the case for Sonoma County.