Pubdate: Tue, 28 Apr 2009
Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2009 San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Contact: http://www.sgvtribune.com/writealetter
Website: http://www.sgvtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3725
Author: Alfred Lee

TEMPLE CITY ENACTS TEMPORARY BAN ON POT DISPENSARIES

TEMPLE CITY - Prompted by a recent application to open a medical 
marijuana dispensary in city limits, city officials have adopted a 
temporary moratorium on such businesses.

By a unanimous vote, the has council decided to impose a 45-day 
moratorium on all pot clubs. The move follows similar moratoriums in 
other San Gabriel Valley cities, including Arcadia, which adopted one 
in September.

Officials say they need time to study the issue and consider their 
longer-term options.

"There's never been a request of this type in the city before," 
Councilman Tom Chavez said. "We felt as a council that we needed some 
more information regarding these types of businesses - how they're 
run, any type of background information, the good and bad things 
about having such a business in the city - in order to make an 
intelligent decision."

Officials decided to look at the issue after being approached by 
applicants hoping to open a dispensary, Mega Member Pharmacy, on 
Rosemead Boulevard and Longden Avenue, according to community 
development Director Joe Lambert.

The applicants are represented by Marina Drabkin of 420 Consulting, a 
professional consultant who helps clients untangle the red tape 
associated with setting up medical marijuana dispensaries.

"The cities that we've approached in terms of asking for permission - 
unfortunately it results in these moratoriums," said Drabkin, who 
declined to comment on the Temple City situation until officials make 
a decision.

"All in all, it doesn't deter patients who have a right to use 
medical marijuana, and at the same time in these dire times of 
economic development they're not letting these tax-based entities 
operate in their cities. Nobody wins," she said.

Officials said they would keep an open mind on the issue.

"At this present time, I'm not really for or against it, until I have 
all the facts and research it a little bit," Councilman David Capra said.

Medical marijuana, under a doctor's recommendation, was legalized in 
1996, when California voters passed Proposition 215, the 
Compassionate Use Act. However, federal law prohibits any use of 
marijuana as illegal.

In March, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the 
federal government would effectively end the Bush administration's 
frequent raids on dispensaries, saying that prosecution would be 
limited to only the most egregious offenses.

On Thursday, the only marijuana dispensary in the San Gabriel Valley, 
located in the unincorporated portion of Covina, was forced to close 
its doors by court order.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge granted a temporary 
restraining order against the business for failing to get the proper permits.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart