Seized pot money goes to close shops

FUNDS seized at illegal pot shops in Garden Grove will go toward closing down other such operations.

Money seized from illegal marijuana dispensaries will go into the fight to close down other such “pot shops” under an action taken Tuesday night by the Garden Grove City Council.

The council voted 7-0 to authorize the transfer of about $87,717 in funds confiscated during raids at 19 marijuana stores to the general fund. That money will now go to help shut down other such operations in the city.

Such funds can be taken by the city when a year has passed and no one is willing to claim ownership or sign a receipt for it. The police crackdown began in June 2015.

While California voters have approved marijuana for medicinal use, cities are legally allowed to decide whether or not to permit the sale of the drug within their borders.