Pubdate: Thu, 04 Nov 2010
Source: Marin Independent Journal (CA)
Copyright: 2010 Marin Independent Journal
Contact:  http://www.marinij.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/673
Author: Richard Halstead

INSURED HOME DELIVERIES OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN MARIN BEGIN NEXT WEEK

The Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Fairfax will begin making
pot deliveries to members of its collective next week now that
insurance concerns have been resolved, organizers said.

"Finally!" said Lynnette Shaw, founding director of the only licensed
medical marijuana dispensary in the county.

Fairfax's Planning Commission approved the service in mid-June. Shaw
said that since then she has been working with the town attorney
fine-tuning insurance coverage she is required to have before
initiating the new service.

Shaw said the policy, which is being provided by Sacramento-based
Statewide Insurance, indemnifies the town of Fairfax from any damages
caused by the delivery service, as well as insuring the delivery
people and their goods.

"The marijuana itself is insured in case of damage, or flood, or
disaster, or theft or accident," Shaw said. "If the van rolls over and
the pot gets messed up, that pot is insured."

Mike Aberle, director of Statewide's medical marijuana division, said,
"We can insure every aspect of the cannabis and hemp industry, whether
you're talking about a dispensary or delivery or a grower, or edible
manufacturer, doctors, lawyers, you name it."

Despite the Planning Commission's approval, Fairfax Police Chief Chris
Morin said he has some reservations.

"We have a public safety concern for the couriers themselves, the
patients and potentially others when the marijuana is being
transported," Morin said. "You don't know if someone is going to try
to rob these people. Innocent bystanders could get involved."

Shaw said that to enhance safety, all deliveries will be made by a
two-person team: a clean and sober driver and a qualified medical
marijuana patient who is a member of the alliance.

"A member of my collective is being transported to hand the marijuana
over to another member of my collective," Shaw said. "So we're in
perfect compliance."

Due to the insurance policy, the couriers will never carry more than
$2,000 worth of marijuana with them at any time.

Initially, Shaw said the delivery service will operate only from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. But she plans to add more days as demand
increases. She will deliver in Marin beyond the Fairfax town limits,
even though her permit doesn't provide for that.

"The town of Fairfax doesn't have the power to authorize me," Shaw
said. "It's up to the membership and myself what we do with this
outside the town of Fairfax."

Shaw estimates that there are already 23 services delivering medical
marijuana in Marin, none of which are licensed. She said she used that
as part of her argument when she was seeking permission from the town.

"I told them I was getting killed," Shaw said.

Deliveries will be made only to Marin Alliance members. But if other
medical marijuana patients have a state identification card or an ID
provided by the Alameda County Public Health Department, they may
order marijuana and join the alliance when the delivery is made, Shaw
said.

"It takes two minutes to sign up," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt