Pubdate: Thu, 06 May 2010
Source: Humboldt Beacon, The (CA)
Copyright: 2010 Humboldt Beacon
Contact:  http://www.humboldtbeacon.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4823
Author: Donna Tam

RIO DELL PASSES TEMPORARY BAN ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

An application to form a medical marijuana collective  has prompted 
Rio Dell to put a hold on dispensaries  until some regulations can be set.

The Rio Dell City Council approved a 45-day moratorium  on the 
formation of medical marijuana dispensaries  Tuesday night, citing a 
need for the creation of an  ordinance. The temporary ban is 
effective immediately.  The council has forwarded the matter to the 
city's planning commission for further review before it comes  back 
before the council, Interim City Manager Jim  Stretch said.

According to staff reports, there is concern that  medical marijuana 
dispensaries may "create negative  secondary effects in the 
community," citing a survey of  other cities -- including Oakland, 
Hayward, Fairfax and  Roseville -- done by the city of Rocklin, 
Calif. The  survey said effects included increased illegal 
drug  activity, theft, robbery, burglary and home invasions.

The application is for a downtown business. Services  would include 
the sale and dispensing of marijuana, a  business that existing 
zoning doesn't address.

Rio Dell follows other cities in Humboldt County which  are working 
on ordinances, including Ferndale and  Eureka. The city of Arcata has 
already completed its  ordinance, which is based on land use codes.

Councilman Jack Thompson said the moratorium is meant  to give the 
city some time to better understand the law  and set guidelines to 
protect its other businesses.

"We have a very large downtown business area that is  very depressed. 
We don't need to do something that  sounds like it may make it more 
difficult," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart