Pubdate: Wed, 6 Jan 2010
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2010 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.signonsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Author: Eleanor Yang Su, Union-Tribune Staff Writer
Cited: San Diego City Council http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/San+Diego

MEDICAL MARIJUANA STOREFRONT ISSUE GOES TO COMMITTEE

Dispensary Rules to Be Considered

A divided San Diego City Council debated medical marijuana 
storefronts yesterday and ultimately could not agree on whether it 
will draft an ordinance to regulate the dispensaries.

After about half an hour of discussion, the council voted 7-1 to 
refer the issue of how and where the businesses should operate to one 
of its committees.

But several council members said they were concerned that creating an 
ordinance to regulate the storefronts would only pave the way for 
more marijuana dispensaries.

When referring the matter to a committee, the council removed 
language calling for an ordinance to be drafted. The council also 
called for input from neighborhood planning committees -- a coalition 
of which is seeking a ban on dispensaries.

Councilman Carl DeMaio voted against sending the matter to committee, 
saying state laws are adequate.

Cities across the state have struggled to regulate medical marijuana 
since California voters approved its use in 1996. More than 100 
cities have banned dispensaries and dozens of others have passed 
ordinances to regulate the collectives.

A San Diego citizen task force suggested regulations about issues 
including hours and security. Proponents of such regulations on the 
council argued it's important to provide clear local rules to protect 
patients who have a legitimate right to medical marijuana. Although 
Californians approved the use of medical marijuana with Proposition 
215, the law and subsequent guidelines have been unclear on what is 
legal, said Councilwoman Donna Frye.

"The idea is to be as specific and simple and understandable as 
possible so people intending to comply with the law know what is 
expected of them and it's not open to someone's interpretation,"

Frye said, as dozens of members of the audience applauded.

Others on the council raised concerns about the growing number of 
stores selling marijuana, they believe illegally.

"While some say this tightens the regulation of marijuana, I say this 
does the opposite," DeMaio said. "I believe it gives license, waters 
down regulation and opens the door for more dispensaries throughout our city."

Other council members who raised concerns with the task force 
recommendations were Tony Young, Sherri Lightner and Kevin Faulconer 
- -- all members of the Land Use and Housing Committee, which will take 
up the matter next.

The recommendations would require dispensaries to file for city 
permits, limit which zones they can be located in and force them to 
be at least 1,000 feet from schools and libraries.

Several medical marijuana advocates said yesterday they were 
disappointed by the council's action.

"They gutted it," said Rudy Reyes, a medical marijuana patient who 
was burned in the 2003 Cedar fire. "They didn't adopt the 
recommendations, and now they want to put them in front of a group 
that is opposed to medical marijuana. So what they're going to adopt 
will not uphold patients' rights." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake