Judge Prevents Oakland Pot Dispensary Eviction

Determines Harborside operating within state and local laws

The landlords of the nation's largest medical marijuana dispensary cannot be evicted just yet, thanks to a judge's determination that the business is operating legally in accordance with state and local laws.

Chief Federal Magistrate Maria-Elena James ruled Monday that Harborside Health Center's locations in Oakland and San Jose may keep their doors open because it was not up to the landlord to determine whether the business was operating legally.

"We are grateful that Judge James carefully considered the facts and arguments in the Harborside case, and decided to grant us our day in court," Harborside Health Center Executive Director Steve DeAngelo said in an advisory. "We have always believed that a Bay Area jury will recognize the value that Harborside brings to the community, and refuse to allow the federal government to seize the properties where we are located."