The Frank Zimmerman Collective has filed an appeal regarding a cannabis license awarded to Riverside County Dispensary and Delivery, Inc., in Vista, CA. The Vista City Council has a hearing scheduled to hear the case for Tuesday, June 15th. HERE is a link to the full appeal which is public record for your review.
The appeal alleges the City approved this license under false pretenses and not falling in line with the ordinances required. When this license was approved, the paperwork stated that Paul Tossonian was the sole operator of the business.
However, the appeal references that Mike Wayman was identified as the principal of Riverside County Dispensary and Delivery in another lawsuit where he fraudulently tried to sell this license to another cannabis corporation but his name is left off the license paperwork to the city.
This is important as Wayman has had past legal cases of mortgage fraud and other disputes (one referenced HERE) and was accused of operating an illegal dispensary at the same location where Riverside County Dispensary and Delivery got licensed, which could have jeopardized them receiving this license. So Tossonian served as a “straw man” to pass the live scan portion of the approval process.
The Frank Zimmerman Collective sued the City and after almost 18 months, the Court ordered City Staff to give them the appeal to the City Council so they can make this right.
In all, this brings to light a bigger picture, highlighting the pitfalls of the cannabis licensing process and those that are misrepresenting themselves to the City. This appeal provides the City an opportunity to root out such misrepresentation and to approve the best and most suited cannabis business for the area.
