Cultivating Fines: Rogue Tenants Grew Illegal Cannabis. Sacramento Hit Unsuspecting Landlords With Six-Figure Penalties.

Race and Equity

Sacramento revamps cannabis enforcement system after facing dozens of lawsuits, racism allegations

October 3, 2022 | Scott Rodd

The city has issued over $100 million in fines against property owners, but the vast majority have challenged the penalties.

Sacramento Just Quietly Revamped Its Cannabis Cultivation Enforcement Law

January 16, 2020 | Scott Rodd

Sacramento has held property owners responsible for cannabis grown on their property by a tenant, even if they can prove they didn’t know about it. The city just scrapped that rule.

Sacramento Serves As Guide, Cautionary Tale As More California Governments Use Steep Fines Against Illegal Pot Grows

December 18, 2019 | Scott Rodd

From Stanislaus County to Malibu, local governments are hitting property owners with heavy fines to curb illegal pot grows.

Sacramento Wipes Out ‘Enormous’ Penalties For Illegal Pot Grows After Judge Determines City Violated Property Owner’s Rights

October 9, 2019 | Scott Rodd

The city has issued about $94 million in fines against homeowners for illegal cannabis cultivation. Many are rental property owners who claim their tenants operated the grow without their knowledge. Now, dozens are taking their case to court.

When Tenants Grow Pot, Sacramento Homeowners Face Six-Figure Fines And An Appeals Process Attorneys Call 'A Kangaroo Court'

September 26, 2019 | Scott Rodd

When homeowners appeal the fines, which are often hundreds of thousands of dollars, the city says the hearings are designed to be “informal.” But defense attorneys say appealing the penalties rob owners of their right to due process.

Sacramento Fined Homeowners $94 Million For Illegal Cannabis Grows — But Many Claim They’re Innocent

September 16, 2019 | Scott Rodd

Hundreds of property owners have challenged the penalties. Their attorneys allege the city’s enforcement has turned into a money-making scheme.