Pubdate: Fri, 03 Jun 2011 Source: Times-Herald, The (Vallejo, CA) Copyright: 2011 Paul Armentano Contact: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/993 Author: Paul Armentano BEHIND THE UNCERTAINTY According to the Times-Herald, "there are between nine and more than a dozen" medical marijuana dispensary outlets presently operating in Vallejo ("Pot shops, sales tax occupy City Council", May 22). Why the uncertainty regarding the total number of facilities? Simple. Because unlike other licensed business establishments, these facilities operate outside the purview of local regulations. On this matter the City Council only has itself to blame. Members have had years to authorize regulations governing the practices of these operations, including where and how many can operate in Vallejo. Other area cities, such as Oakland, Sebastopol, Berkeley, and San Jose, have enacted local zoning and business guidelines overseeing the establishment of cannabis dispensaries. These cities require dispensaries to pay local licensing fees and that mandate that providers adhere to state and local sales tax laws. Why have members of the Vallejo City Council not done the same? The proliferation of such facilities in Vallejo is illustrative of local market demand. Proposed attempts by the council to ban these establishments will not mitigate this demand and will only drive customers and consumers underground. A better alternative is to recognize that these facilities are a part of Vallejo's economy and to require them to engage in "best practices" and to adhere to local zoning and community standards. It's time for the council to stop kicking the can further down the road and to treat these facilities like any other commercial enterprise. Paul Armentano Vallejo - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom