Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jul 2005
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)
Copyright: 2005 Santa Cruz Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/394
Author: Shanna McCord
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

SANTA CRUZ APPROVES MEDICAL POT SHOP

SANTA CRUZ -- Seriously ill patients who need marijuana to ease their pain 
should soon be able to buy the drug at a dispensary in the city.

Plans by Boulder Creek resident Lisa Molyneux to open a medical marijuana 
dispensary on DuBois Street in the Harvey West Business Park were 
unanimously approved by the City Council on Tuesday.

"There will always be something too complicated and too cumbersome to deal 
with," Councilwoman Emily Reilly said. "We should move forward, stay 
conscious and aware and responsive."

Police Chief Howard Skerry and Dannettee Shoemaker, director of the city 
Parks and Recreation Department, expressed reservations about the pot 
shop's proximity to Harvey West Park.

Both Skerry and Shoemaker recommended denial of Molyneux's application.

The Harvey West Area Association also wrote a letter opposing the 
special-use permit for a medical marijuana dispensary in their neighborhood.

No one else from the public spoke against the dispensary.

Shoemaker pointed out several youth activities at the park -- soccer, swim 
lessons, Little League and day camps -- that could be impacted by the 
dispensary's business.

Skerry said police departments in other cities have experienced problems 
with medical marijuana outlets located near parks.

Harvey West, he said, "continues to be the subject of numerous complaints 
regarding drug dealing, drinking, illegal camping and garbage complaints."

Still, council members strongly favor a medical marijuana shop and were 
criticized for not allowing such a business to open sooner.

Molyneux's shop will be limited to buying and selling the drug. Patients 
will not be allowed to consume marijuana at the site, nor will plants be sold.

A security guard is required to be on site during business hours, which are 
limited between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Other activities, including massage, education, support groups and 
chiropractic care, would not be allowed until Molyneux proves she can 
operate the dispensary with few problems.

A review by city officials will be done six months after opening.

The council also listened to public comment about the draft environmental 
impact report for the city's integrated water management plan, which 
includes a proposal for a seawater desalination plant during times of drought.

Few people spoke against the desal plant, though questions were raised 
about its high cost, energy use and waste water discharged into the ocean.

Officials with the city Water Department said no environmental issues are 
considered to be significant except for noise during the project's 
construction.

Public comments on the draft environmental impact report are due to city 
officials by Friday.
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MAP posted-by: Beth