Pubdate: Sat, 04 Nov 2006
Source: Whittier Daily News (CA)
Copyright: 2006 Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.whittierdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/497
Author: Mary Frances Gurton, Staff Writer

PASADENA OFFICIALS TARGET POT CLINIC

PASADENA - Claiming that it is operating illegally, officials tried 
late last week to shut down a recently opened medical marijuana 
dispensary in an unincorporated county area.

"It is a high priority," Los Angeles County Counsel Rick Weiss said, 
"and will be pursued vigorously."

In June 2005, the Board of Supervisors unanimously ap-proved a 
moratorium banning such dispensaries. This past June, an ordinance 
was passed requiring the businesses to obtain a conditional-use 
permit in addition to a business license to open.

A handmade cardboard sign with a smiley face welcomes visitors to the 
dispensary, located just outside Pasadena city limits on East 
Colorado Boulevard.

The smell of burning marijuana wafted heavily into the stairwell from 
behind an armed guard who opened the door.

"We have to protect our patients," he said, explaining his sidearm.

Pasadena police Chief Bernard Melekian was angered that his 
department was not notified by the county when the establishment opened.

"What I think is really unfortunate about this," he said, "is that it 
never registered on  conscience to alert the city 150 yards off of 
the opening of such a business. We found out about througha second party."

Repeated calls to the business, called California Compassionate 
Caregivers according to Weedtrackers.com, a Web site dedicated to 
medical marijuana use, went unanswered.

Owners of the business at 3682 E. Colorado Blvd. sparred with a 
county zoning inspector last week, Weiss said, saying they opened in 
May before the new ordinance went into effect.

"They may argue that," said Weiss, "but even if they opened in May, 
we believe that they did not open legally because the moratorium was 
still in effect then."

Weiss said county staff issued the business a violation notice Thursday.

If its owners fail to comply, court action will be pursued, part of 
which may require a temporary restraining order.

"If they pack up and leave we may not have to do anything," he said.

Otherwise, Melekian said it was apparent from experiences within 
Pasadena city limits that "medical marijuana clinics are a sham."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine