Attorney takes case against Clarkston for pot shop owner

Fighting citywide bans on retail marijuana sales is nothing new for attorney Liz Hallock.

The Vancouver, Washington, attorney is representing business owner Matt Plemmons in two court cases the city of Clarkston is bringing against his shop, Greenfield Co. She has experience with situations like Clarkston’s citywide sales ban – and has had success.

In Omak, Washington, Hallock was able to reach a settlement between the city and a retail marijuana business that allowed the owner to keep her shop open and sell her product. Plemmons said he first learned of Hallock’s work after hearing about the case in Omak.

“She was instrumental in getting the city to agree to let them open,” Plemmons said.

Along with her background in Initiative 502 – which legalized marijuana sales in Washington – and issues with city governments, Plemmons said Hallock brings a “unique perspective” to his case.

“I wanted a fresh pair of eyes to look at the situation,” he said.

Hallock is representing Plemmons in both Asotin County District Court and Asotin County Superior Court. Plemmons faces a misdemeanor charge for operating a business without an appropriate license in District Court. In Superior Court, the city has granted a request for a temporary restraining order against Greenfield Co., which is accused of selling marijuana despite a citywide ban. Plemmons hired Hallock July 10.

Like other cases she’s taken on, Hallock said she takes issue with the procedure used in the actions taken against Plemmons’ business by the city.

Trying Plemmons in two separate cases in two separate courts is double jeopardy, Hallock argues. Constitutional rights are also at stake, Hallock argues. An undercover officer searched Greenfield Co., but she said the Fourth Amendment protects people from “unreasonable searches” without a warrant.

Hallock said she believes marijuana retailers are trying to do the “right thing” in opening up their shops.

“They’re trying to make this a legitimate government service,” she said. “Getting your weed on Craigslist is just not a good idea. You don’t know what’s in it.”