Illinois Suit Against Denver Marijuana Consultant Dismissed

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — A judge in Lake County has dismissed a lawsuit that claimed a Denver consultant was highly involved in too many Illinois medical marijuana growing facilities.

Judge Mitchell L. Hoffman last week ordered the complaint against Kayvan Khalatbari dismissed "with prejudice," a legal term that generally means the plaintiff can't file the same complaint again.

Medponics Illinois filed the lawsuit in May. Illinois officials are still reviewing applications in the Lake County region where Medponics has applied for a permit.

RELATED STORIES: Marijuana Legalization Story Archive

James Merlo of Medponics says further litigation is possible after the state issues a permit in the region.

Out-of-state consultants like Khalatbari helped with many of the Illinois companies' applications. State regulations bar individuals from being owners, officers, shareholders or members of more than three permitted cultivation centers.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)