New lawsuits allege warehouse owners created a public nuisance and undercut law abiding cannabis businesses
SAN FRANCISCO (March 31, 2025) — City Attorney David Chiu announced today that he filed a pair of lawsuits against several property owners for operating four illegal cannabis grow houses in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood. The first lawsuit, filed against Alexandra and Joseph Yick, and the second lawsuit, filed against Andrew Govan-Smith, describe how the property owners violated state and local laws and undermined the legal cannabis industry by leasing their warehouses to illegal cannabis operators.
“Not only did these property owners harm legitimate cannabis businesses, but they have also endangered the health, welfare, and safety of the neighboring residents,” said City Attorney Chiu. “The defendants knowingly assisted their tenants in breaking the law to make a profit, and these illegal grow houses were full of dangerous code violations. We have to support legal cannabis merchants, who are following the rules and helping our local economy.”
“San Francisco’s regulated cannabis economy provides safe products, creates hundreds of jobs and generates about $40 million in taxable sales per quarter,” said Nikesh Patel, Director of the Office of Cannabis. “Unlawful cannabis businesses not only jeopardize public health and safety, but also unfairly undercut regulated cannabis businesses that are working hard to keep their doors open. Thank you to City Attorney David Chiu and his office for their work to strengthen enforcement and support the regulated cannabis market.”
Background
California legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2016. To cultivate cannabis for commercial purposes, operators in San Francisco must have a license from the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and a permit from the San Francisco Office of Cannabis (OOC).
Illegal cannabis cultivation undermines the success and functionality of the legal cannabis market and gives illegal operators a competitive advantage over lawful cannabis businesses. Illegal operators avoid paying taxes, and they avoid compliance with the regulations related to permitting, working conditions, safety precautions, and environmental protection.
29 Patterson Street and 30 Loomis Street
Alexandra and Joseph Yick have owned warehouses at 29 Patterson Street and 30 Loomis Street since 2021 and leased both warehouses knowing that the tenants were unlawfully using those properties to cultivate cannabis. The Yicks are directly involved in the operation, management, and maintenance of both properties.
In 2024, the DCC initiated an investigation that found illegal, unpermitted cannabis operations at both properties. Collectively, DCC seized 2,095 mature cannabis plants, 4,300 immature cannabis plants, nearly 90 pounds of cannabis flower, and more than 470 pounds of cannabis shake.
Following the DCC search, City inspections also revealed several fire, plumbing, building, and electrical code violations, including exposed electrical wiring and the unpermitted use of carbon dioxide tanks. Multiple City departments issued Notices of Violations (NOVs) for code infractions at the properties.
1742 Yosemite Avenue and 1723-1727 Wallace Avenue
Andrew Govan-Smith has owned the properties at 1742 Yosemite Avenue, 1723 Wallace Avenue, and 1727 Wallace Avenue for two decades. Govan-Smith leased 1742 Yosemite Avenue and 1723-1727 Wallace Avenue knowing that the tenants were unlawfully using the properties to cultivate cannabis. Govan-Smith is directly involved in the operation, management, and maintenance of each property.
In 2023, San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), OOC, and the Department of Building Inspection conducted a joint inspection of the warehouse located at 1723-1727 Wallace Avenue. In 2024, the SFFD and the OOC conducted an inspection of the 1742 Yosemite warehouse. Both inspections revealed illegal, unpermitted cannabis operations in the warehouses. Collectively, there were eight grow rooms, two nursery rooms, four dry rooms, and other cannabis cultivation equipment.
The inspections also found several fire, building, planning, plumbing, and electrical code violations, including exposed electrical wiring, multiple uncertified fire extinguishers, and electrical and plumbing work performed without permits. Multiple City departments issued NOVs for code infractions at the properties.
Defendants have created a public nuisance and contributed to criminal activity. San Francisco’s lawsuit alleges the Defendants engaged in unlawful and unfair business practices, profited from leasing properties used for illegal cannabis cultivation, and violated multiple state and municipal codes. The City is seeking penalties and injunctive relief to cure the violations at the properties.
Today’s announcement builds on work done by the City Attorney’s Office in October 2024, when the City Attorney sued the owners of two Bayview warehouses for aiding and abetting their tenants in illegally cultivating over 5,800 cannabis plants and evading taxes and regulatory oversight.
The case against Alexandra and Joseph Yick is City and County of San Francisco and the People of the State of California v. Jackson & Taylor Ventures, LLC, et al., San Francisco Superior Court. The complaint can be found here.
The case against Andrew Govan-Smith is City and County of San Francisco and the People of the State of California v. Andrew Govan Smith, et al., San Francisco Superior Court. The complaint can be found here.
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