Al Sobol, a prominent medical marijuana marketer, says he's "happy" that state Attorney General Tom Horne seeks to have a court review the legality of cannabis clubs.
Sobol is the manager of the 2811 Club, LLC, one of the businesses named in the legal actions filed in the Maricopa County Superior Court today by state Attorney General Tom Horne.
The AG wants a judge to shut down the clubs, saying they're not legal under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.
But Sobol says he's confident the court will find that the clubs aren't breaking the law. He filed a lawsuit three weeks ago in the same court that also asks for a judicial opinion on the legality of clubs like his. Sobol says that the state hasn't yet responded to his suit.
"I want the courts to weigh in and make a decision," Sobol says.
If he's wrong and a judge rules against the 2811 Club, Sobol says he'll shut down the business immediately.
The marketer bristles at Horne's public statement that his club, which allows another group to distribute the "free" marijuana to his club's members, is guilty of "deception."
"What's deceptive is when the state gives you a card, charges you $150 for it, then makes it so you have no way of using it," he says.
Horne and Governor Jan Brewer, in trying to derail the voter-approved law, are "abusing their authority," Sobol adds.
Sobol maintains his club has been "as transparent as any business could be." He's invited police and other law enforcement officials into the club, and several have taken him up on the offer. Seven Phoenix police supervisors recently attended a two-and-a-half-hour class at his north Phoenix facility that focused on compassion clubs, he says.
"They were giving us advice on how to better secure the place," Sobol quips.
You can read Horne's legal actions below:
Complaint:
Motion to Show Cause and Application for Injunction:
