Dispensary calls it quits

North Valley Holistic Health, Chico’s sole surviving medical-marijuana dispensary after last year’s raids, is finally calling it quits. Pressure from the feds—in the form of threats to the dispensary’s landlords at Gasoline Alley north of Chico off Highway 32—has left them homeless.

“This letter is formal notice that continued use of the property in violation of federal law may result in forfeiture and criminal or civil penalties,” reads a letter from U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner.

“They basically said there’s no innocent landlord in all this,” said Andrew Merkel, one of the principles at NVHH.

The dispensary, open almost two years, served about 7,000 patients, Merkel estimated. He said as of 8 p.m. Wednesday night (Oct. 19), the dispensary’s doors would be closed for good.

“They’re sending these patients back onto the streets. They really messed this one up,” he said.