Pubdate: Sun, 25 Sep 2005
Source: Oakland Tribune, The (CA)
Copyright: 2005 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.oaklandtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/314
Author: Karen Holzmeister, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

ALAMEDA COUNTY HALTS CRACKDOWN ON POT CLUBS

Quicker than a puff of smoke, county efforts to clamp down on medical
marijuana sales in unincorporated areas have been placed on hold.

Alameda County has reined in its efforts to close three medical
marijuana clinics by Oct. 1, and to subsequently issue three prized
cannabis club operating permits in unincorporated areas, a county
supervisor and sheriff's captain said Friday.

Instead, We Are Hemp in San Lorenzo, the Garden of Eden in Cherryland,
and A Natural Source in Ashland -- all of which faced closure after
not applying in time for the county-mandated permits -- can continue
operating while the application process is re-reviewed.

Three other dispensaries, which met the Aug. 30 application deadline,
will be in limbo until the five county supervisors -- who set policies
for unincorporated areas -- decide later this fall if the application
process should be revised.

Heat over dispensary application forms -- from politicians as well as
marijuana sales outlet operators -- prompted the delay.

Applicants were asked questions about family members, past employment,
driving records and non-felony arrests or convictions.

Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker of Alameda said the county has to balance
the need for medical marijuana sales facilities with safety and good
business practices.

"The application forms were not approved by the board, and perhaps
they went too far in terms of invasiveness, in the personal background
information sought," Lai-Bitker explained.

She referred to recent robberies at several clinics, including one on
Aug. 19 at a dispensary on Foothill Boulevard in unincorporated San
Leandro that resulted in the death of one of the robbers.

Six dispensaries are operating in Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo.
In June, county supervisors approved an ordinance that would halve
that number, but added Castro Valley as one of the communities where
marijuana could be sold. Supervisors also decided that sales should be
limited to three locations with county permits and
supervision.

The sheriff's department is in charge of the permit process. Sheriff's
Capt. Stephen Roderick said Friday that various county departments
might ask the supervisors to revise the ordinance and modify the
application form.

That review could occur as soon as October, he said, adding that
"there are a lot of factors to be reviewed."

Operators of We Are Hemp and A Natural Source, and the attorney for
the Garden of Eden, could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

Jack Norton operates The Health Center on East 14th Street in Ashland,
one of the three dispensaries that submitted applications on time. A
sheriff's deputy stopped by his business Friday to announce the
continuation.

Norton declined comment, stating "I'd like to see how this plays
out."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake