Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 Source: Kent Reporter (WA) Copyright: 2011 Sound Publishing Contact: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5026 Author: Steve Hunter, Kent Reporter Courts, Government Reporter PUBLIC HEARING JULY 19 IN KENT ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA MORATORIUM Want to tell the Kent City Council what you think of its six-month ban on businesses selling medical marijuana? You have that chance as the council will have a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 220 Fourth Ave. S., to take testimony and consider adopting further findings. State law requires the council to hold a public hearing after the adoption of a moratorium. The council passed a six-month emergency moratorium July 5 on the establishment and operation of medical marijuana collective gardens and dispensaries within the city limits on a 5-2 vote. Kent Police served search warrants at four medical marijuana businesses July 6. The businesses, all located in the Kent Valley, have been the subject of an ongoing investigation for selling medicinal marijuana in violation of state law. The search warrants are the city's latest step in a process that began with notice to marijuana dispensary owners they must close or face the loss of their business licenses and potential criminal charges. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.