Pubdate: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 Source: Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA) Copyright: 2010 The Tribune Contact: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391 Author: Bob Cuddy South County SUPERVISOR CANDIDATES VOICE OPPOSITION TO MEDICAL POT CLINICS The board is expected to vote today on a plan for a marijuana dispensary in Nipomo The two candidates for South County supervisor both oppose a medical marijuana clinic being proposed for Nipomo and frown on such clinics in general. Paul Teixeira and Mike Zimmerman say clinics that provide marijuana for medical purposes attract crime, one of the arguments against the store being proposed for Nipomo. In addition, such venues are running into routine community opposition, Teixeira said. "Nobody wants them," Teixeira told The Tribune on Monday. He likened them to toxic waste dumps in their lack of popularity. Teixeira and Zimmerman are running to replace Katcho Achadjian as supervisor for South County, which includes Nipomo. Achadjian, a Republican, is leaving the Board of Supervisors after three terms to run for state Assembly, facing off in November against Democrat Hilda Zacarias and Libertarian Paul Polson. The proposal to create a medical marijuana dispensary at 425-B North Frontage Road will go to the Board of Supervisors, still including Achadjian, for a vote today. Applicant Robert Brody of Los Angeles appealed to the board after the Planning Commission turned him down in May. Marijuana for medical use is allowed under state law, but not federal law. San Luis Obispo County has sanctioned no outlets, despite pleas from patients with cancer and other painful diseases who say marijuana alleviates their pain. "This dispensary is for people who have doctor's recommendations that are sick," Brody told planning commissioners. The proposed clinic would be in an industrial park and away from homes. But there is a nearby gymnastics studio that children attend, planning commissioners said in turning down Brody. In addition to the potential crime problem and the possible presence of children in the vicinity, Zimmerman noted the difference between state and federal law and said clinics should not be allowed unless that is resolved. The Sheriff's Department opposed the clinic, as did the South County Advisory Council. The Planning Commission vote was 3-2 against the clinic. Commissioner Anne Wyatt, who was on the short end of that vote, said what the county is "seeing is a de facto moratorium on any of these businesses. That is the bigger issue. It's sad for people who are in need of this." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D