I-Team assaulted while investigating illegal pot shot that reopened after raid

Less than one month after Riverside County officials served a temporary restraining order against “Good Good,” an illegal dispensary in Thousand Palms, the location is back open once again, this time under a new name.

“Good Good” was shut down on Jan. 17 for running a prohibited cannabis business on Datil Road. On WeedMaps.com, the location that was “Good Good” is now identified as “Flight Club.” A giant sign reading ‘church’ went up over the weekend. The business’ armed security guard said “Flight Club” had re-opened lawfully. County officials said this is not true.

“We are aware of this development and the County team (Sheriff, District Attorney, Code Enforcement, and County Counsel), will pursue all possible enforcement remedies to stop illegal cannabis businesses operating in the unincorporated area,” said Jeffrey Van Wagenen, Assistant County Executive Officer for Riverside County.

News Channel 3’s I-Team investigator Brooke Beare has reported on the revolving door of dispensaries numerous times in the past few weeks, highlighting the problem local agencies have with corralling the enterprising marijuana businesses.

Currently, no cannabis businesses in unincorporated communities like Sky Valley, Thermal or Thousand Palms have been given permits to operate. This means that any marijuana dispensary, collective or cultivation site outside of city limits is operating illegally.

“The County has not yet permitted any commercial cannabis businesses in the unincorporated areas. We are still working through our process,” said Van Wagenen.

Customers told News Channel 3 prices are better at the unpermitted shops, which are not paying taxes to the communities where they are operating. Some said they are fearful of how the pot plant is processed.

Calls for service to the neighboring street also went up more than 800 percent once the dispensary on Datil road opened, according to data from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Former employees said since they are paid in cash, their bosses don’t pay or follow state regulations regarding overtime.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Cannabis Regulation Task Force has shut down 23 illegal dispensaries in the county. At least three have already re-opened.

The county’s code enforcement department and county counsel has also “locked out” dozens of dispensaries, including “Good Good.”

Neighbors said that they are fearful of retaliation by the business and people who go there.

On Tuesday when News Channel 3’s Brooke Beare was interviewing a family about the disturbances on their street caused by the dispensary, a couple parked their car in front of the home, and approached Brooke and the photographer working with her. The man knocked the camera out of his hands, then grabbed Brooke’s cell phone out of her hands.

He cursed at them both, then knocked the camera a second time, and took the phone again after Brooke recovered it.

The Sheriff’s Department is actively looking for the couple, who drove away in an older model black four door sedan.