Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jul 2006
Source: Tri-Valley Herald  (Pleasanton, CA)
Copyright: 2006sANG Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/742
Author: Brian Foley
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MARIJUANA OUTLETS BACK BEFORE COUNCIL

Pleasanton Moratorium Due To Expire Aug. 5

PLEASANTON -- With a temporary moratorium on medical marijuana 
dispensaries close to expiring, the City Council will revisit the 
issue tonight.

The moratorium took effect in August 2005 and was extended the 
following month for a year, largely because the council felt it did 
not have enough information about crime associated with dispensaries 
and the implications of federal law prohibiting marijuana.

When it came before the council a year ago, they felt there wasnt 
enough information, so they put a moratorium in place for one year, 
said Pamela Ott, the citys economic development manager.

Ott added that the council might decide to make a moratorium 
permanent through an ordinance.

In 1996, voters passed Proposition 215, which allowed marijuana use 
with a doctors recommendation. But federal law maintains that 
marijuana has no medical benefits.

City officials have received at least two inquiries about 
establishing a medical marijuana dispensary in Pleasanton within the 
past five months, a staff report said.

About 21 cities have completely banned dispensaries, while 62 cities 
have moratoriums. The council is expected to act tonight because 
Pleasantons temporary ban is due to expire Aug. 5.

The city would be following its neighbors if it renews its efforts to 
keep dispensaries out. In June, Dublin formally passed an ordinance 
that banned dispensaries for good. Dublin joined Concord as the only 
two East Bay cities to ban dispensaries through an ordinance.

Last week, the Livermore City Council voted 4-0 to extend its 
moratorium rather than adopt an ordinance.

City Attorney John Pomidor warned that the city could face lawsuits 
if it adopted a permanent ban. Concord was sued by the Americans for 
Safe Access, a medical marijuana advocacy group based in Oakland. 
That lawsuit later was dropped.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman