Pubdate: Thu, 04 Jun 2015
Source: Desert Sun, The (Palm Springs, CA)
Copyright: 2015 The Desert Sun
Contact:  http://www.desertsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1112
Note: Does not accept LTEs from outside circulation area.
Author: Skip Descant

PALM SPRINGS TO ALLOW TWO ADDITIONAL MARIJUANA SHOPS

Patients prescribed medical marijuana will soon likely have two 
additional dispensary options in Palm Springs.

The Palm Springs City Council approved a change to its medical 
cannabis ordinance, increasing the number of dispensaries from four to six.

"They don't draw crime. They provide medicine to patients. And so I'm 
less concerned with the number. I think that competition is a good 
thing. And I think it drives prices down. So, I am in favor of 
expanding the number of permits," said Councilman Rick Hutcheson.

The council voted 3-1 in favor of increasing the number of medical 
marijuana licenses, with Councilman Chris Mills voting against, and 
Mayor Steve Pougnet absent.

Mills, who has previously been a no vote when it comes to increasing 
the number of dispensaries, said he did not see a need for Palm 
Springs to supply medical marijuana to residents from other parts of 
the valley.

"I didn't think it was four, and I don't think it's six," Mills said 
of the number of dispensaries needed in Palm Springs.

It wasn't just Mills asking the council to put the brakes on pot 
shops. James Camper, president of Organic Solutions of the Desert in 
Palm Springs, an existing marijuana dispensary, said four outlets are enough.

"To bring on extra shops at this time is premature," Camper told the 
City Council.

"To support five and six dispensaries is just not sustainable at this 
time," echoed Diane Blasdel, an attorney representing Organic Solutions.

Reducing competition is not in the city's interest, Ginny Foat, a 
councilwoman, and a strong advocate for medical marijuana, told the 
council chamber.

"It's not our responsibility to make businesses profitable," Foat 
told the council chambers. "It's our responsibility to make sure that 
there are regulations in place, that serve the city of Palm Springs. 
That's why you do a business plan when you're opening a business, and 
try to do everything possible to get new customers in, or do what you 
need to do to make your business profitable. And I see our job as the 
City Council is to make sure that our citizens have safe and 
reasonably priced access to their medicine."

Recent changes to the ordinance also allow cultivation facilities to 
operate at a different location from the actual shop. However, rules 
also limit the number of cultivation locations to six as well. And 
growers must only provide marijuana to Palm Springs dispensaries. 
They may not sell to dispensaries in other areas, according to the ordinance.

Mayor Pro Tem Paul Lewin asked that the city come forward in the next 
few months with a plan to ensure the grow facilities are operating 
according to city law.

"I'm not trying to be difficult," said Lewin. "I just think we need 
to do it right, straight out of the gate."

Other desert cities are also moving forward with allowing medical 
marijuana dispensaries. Desert Hot Springs allows three dispensaries, 
while Indio is exploring the idea of allowing dispensaries. Cathedral 
City has approved one dispensary permit, but the shop has yet to open.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom