Organics v. Cnty. of San Diego

341 F. Supp. 3d 1129
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. California
DecidedSeptember 18, 2018
DocketCase No.: 15-CV-854 JLS (MDD)
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 341 F. Supp. 3d 1129 (Organics v. Cnty. of San Diego) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Organics v. Cnty. of San Diego, 341 F. Supp. 3d 1129 (S.D. Cal. 2018).

Opinion

Plaintiffs counter that, had the magistrate judge known the following facts, no search warrant would have issued. (Opp'n 8.) First, Plaintiffs point out that they provided Defendant Clark with all their marijuana recommendations two months prior to the affidavit. Second, that Defendant Clark was in constant contact with Plaintiffs' counsel; third, that Clark had advised Plaintiffs' counsel that the collective was in full compliance with state law. (Id. ) Fourth, Defendant Clark inspected the collective's location twice and took no action. (Id. ) Plaintiffs contend that had the magistrate judge known those facts it would be "inconceivable that the magistrate would have issued the search warrant." (Id. )

In support of their claim, Plaintiffs attach two exhibits to their Opposition brief. The first is what appears to be text message exchanges between Defendant Clark and Mr. Callaway. (Ex. A, ECF No. 48-2.) The second is an excerpt from Defendant Stevens' affidavit supporting the search warrant. (Ex. B, ECF No. 48-3.) The latter describes the location to be searched in detail (i.e., Plaintiffs' property). (Id. at 2.) Defendant Stevens also attested to a statement of probable cause. Specifically, he conducted an aerial reconnaissance over Plaintiffs' property. (Id. at 3.) Defendants Stevens described several buildings and structures on the property, including a "greenhouse type structure and a small tent." (Id. ) He concluded that, "[b]ased on the size of the location, the observations made and the affiant's training and experience, [he] believe[d] there could be in excess of 100 growing marijuana plants." (Id. )

Defendants maintain that courts cannot look beyond a complaint to a party's moving papers when ruling on a motion to dismiss. (Reply 4 (citing Schneider v. Cal. Dep't of Corr. , 151 F.3d 1194, 1197 n.1 (9th Cir. 1998) ).) Defendants argue that even if the Court were to consider the exhibits attached to Plaintiff's Opposition brief, the exhibits are insufficient to support a judicial deception claim. First, Defendants point out that Plaintiffs do not disclose the actual search warrant or Defendant Clark's affidavit and only include a portion of Defendant Stevens' affidavit. (Id. ) Second, the excerpted portion of Defendant Stevens' affidavit fails to demonstrate that he deliberately or recklessly made false statements in his affidavits. (Id. (citing Franks v. Delaware , 438 U.S. 154, 171-72, 98 S.Ct. 2674, 57 L.Ed.2d 667 (1978) ).)

B. Court's Analysis

1. Plaintiffs' Exhibits

The Court begins with the threshold matter of Plaintiffs' exhibits. Plaintiffs did not include Defendants Stevens' affidavit or any factual allegations concerning the affidavit in their Fourth Amended Complaint. In its prior order, the Court explicitly stated that the failure to include an affidavit, search warrant, or factual allegations concerning an affidavit or search warrant was dispositive in determining Plaintiffs' failure to state a claim for a constitutional violation. ("Prior Order," ECF No. 45, at 14-15.) The Court also cited authority for the proposition that, "[i]n determining the propriety of a Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal, a court may not look beyond the complaint to a plaintiff's moving paper, such as a memorandum in opposition to a defendant's motion to dismiss." (Id. at 11 n.2 (citing Schneider , 151 F.3d at 1197 n.1 ).)

Despite these clear warnings, Plaintiffs took a different approach. Plaintiffs decided to attach exhibits in their Opposition brief instead of to the Fourth Amended Complaint, contrary to the Federal Rules and Ninth Circuit precedent. See *1139Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(c) ("A copy of a written instrument that is an exhibit to a pleading is a part of the pleading for all purposes.") (emphasis added); Schneider , 151 F.3d at 1197 n.1. Accordingly, the Court will not consider Plaintiffs' exhibits in adjudicating the motion to dismiss. Even if the Court were to consider Plaintiffs' exhibits, they would not alter the Court's conclusion, as will be seen.

2. Whether the Warrant Affidavit Contained Misrepresentations or Omissions Material to the Finding of Probable Cause

In 1996, California's electorate passed Proposition 215 and enacted the Compassionate Use Act ("CUA"), which generally exempted medical marijuana patients and their caregivers from laws criminalizing possession and cultivation of marijuana. See Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11362.5 ; Kelly , 47 Cal. 4th at 1012-13, 103 Cal.Rptr.3d 733, 222 P.3d 186. In People v. Mower , the California Supreme Court held " section 11362.5(d) [of the CUA] does not grant any immunity from arrest." 28 Cal. 4th at 468-69, 122 Cal.Rptr.2d 326, 49 P.3d 1067. In 2003, the California Legislature enacted the Medical Marijuana Program Act ("MMPA") to clarify the scope of the CUA. See Kelly , 47 Cal. 4th at 1014, 103 Cal.Rptr.3d 733, 222 P.3d 186. "At the heart of the MMP[A] is a voluntary 'identification card' scheme that, unlike the CUA-which ... provides only an affirmative defense to a charge of possession or cultivation-provides protection against arrest for those and related crimes." Id.

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Bluebook (online)
341 F. Supp. 3d 1129, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/organics-v-cnty-of-san-diego-casd-2018.