People v. CHR Herbal Remedies

*29 INTRODUCTION

Defendants CHR Herbal Remedies, aka California Herbal Remedies, Inc., and Orlando *2 Yepes appeal the judgment after they were found guilty of four counts of operating an unlawful medical marijuana business (MMB) (L.A. Mun. Code (LAMC), § 45.19.6.2, subd. A). Defendants contend the judgment should be reversed because they substantially complied with the requirements needed to obtain limited immunity from prosecution, despite the fact their MMB was located within 1,000 feet of a high school and within 600 feet of a child care facility (see LAMC, § 45.19.6.3, subd. O). As discussed below, we affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Defendants were charged in an amended complaint with violating LAMC section 45.19.6.2, subdivision A, on June 16, July 16, July 21, and July 30, 2015, by owning and operating an MMB in the City of Los Angeles (City). Prior to the start of trial, defendants filed two motions requesting they be allowed to present evidence, and argue at trial, that they substantially complied with the limited immunity provision provided by LAMC section 45.19.6.3.

Attaching to their motions maps of the areas at issue, defendants admitted their MMB on…