Ashland, Cherryland Hit With Wave Of Dispensaries Medical marijuana dispensaries have been sprouting up in the unincorporated areas of Ashland and Cherryland, just as neighboring cities have been nipping their pot facilities in the bud. There are now six known medical marijuana dispensaries in a two-mile area between the cities of Hayward and San Leandro. Three are clustered within a few blocks of each other along East 14th Street in Ashland. All but one opened in recent months after the cities of Oakland and Hayward began imposing stricter regulations on their existing dispensaries. The cities of Emeryville and Fremont have since passed moratoriums on dispensaries. [continues 508 words]
Adams' Public Defender May Not Test State's Medical Marijuana Law HAYWARD -- Former medical marijuana dispensary owner Cheryl Adams is beginning to give up on the idea of becoming Hayward's Ed Rosenthal. Adams, 31, who used to own the now closed Hayward Hempery and its dispensary in downtown Hayward, faces felony drug possession charges stemming from an arrest last December in Newark. She was allegedly driving with 29 separate small plastic bags of marijuana and 13 bags of concen trated cannabis, or hash, according to court records. [continues 750 words]
Hayward's Remaining Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Already Busier Because of Reduced Number in Oakland HAYWARD -- Patients and employees at a downtown medical marijuana dispensary were elated Tuesday after learning that the city is allowing the facility to operate for an additional two years. "We're very excited," said Jane Weirick, owner of Hayward Patients' Resource Center. "Now we can start thinking about programs we want to offer long-term." The news came on the heels of the city's revocation of an agreement with the landmark Hayward Hempery, which would have allowed its medical marijuana dispensary to operate through December 2006 under specific circumstances. [continues 740 words]
Woman Faces Numerous Felony Charges, Including Possession HAYWARD -- Cheryl Adams, owner of the Hayward Hempery and its landmark medical marijuana dispensary, was arrested Saturday night in south Hayward on a $40,000 warrant. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Dennis McLaughlin issued the warrant in early March after Adams, 31, skipped out on a Fremont court preceding in a felony drug possession case against her. Hayward police arrested her on the warrant just before 11 p.m. Saturday on Barcelona Avenue in south Hayward, said police spokesman Lt. Reid Lindblom. She's in custody at Santa Rita county jail in Dublin. [continues 489 words]
FREMONT -- Alameda County Superior Court Judge Dennis McLaughlin has issued a $40,000 warrant for the arrest of Hayward Hempery owner Cheryl Adams after she skipped out on a court proceeding in a felony drug-possession case against her. "She's in the wind," said Deputy District Attorney Steve Corral, adding that this is the second time she's failed to appear in the case. The warrant could be the final nail in the coffin for The Hempery, which apparently has been closed for about a month. [continues 593 words]
Thousands Given To Boys Clubs, Girls Clubs In Hayward, San Leandro These days, amid ongoing budget slashings, local youth program leaders such as Lance Frederick aren't used to getting phone calls from people saying they want to send a check. But Frederick was grateful for the surprising news last week that the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program he runs in Hayward would be getting a $2,500 donation from San Leandro-Hayward Elks Lodge No. 2795. The nonprofit Elks group voted earlier this month to distribute some $25,000 worth of bingo proceeds to local youth programs. [continues 309 words]
These days, amid ongoing budget slashings, local youth program leaders such as Lance Frederick aren't used to getting phone calls from people saying they want to send a check. But Frederick was grateful for the surprising news that the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program he runs in Hayward would be getting a $2,500 donation from San Leandro-Hayward Elks Lodge No. 2795. The nonprofit Elks group voted in February to distribute some $25,000 worth of bingo proceeds to local youth programs. [continues 322 words]
A downtown medical marijuana dispensary was vandalized in two separate incidents exactly one week apart at the same time and in the same way, police said. Someone threw two distinctive landscaping bricks through the front window of Hayward Patients' Resource Center (HPRC) about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 4 and at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, said Hayward police Lt. Gary Branson. No one attempted to enter the building, located on Foothill Boulevard between A and B streets, but the broken glass set off an alarm, he said. Police have no suspects in either incident, he said. [continues 344 words]
Businessman Gives $11,000 HAYWARD -- A 30-year-old Hayward businessman spent $11,000 to keep Hayward Hempery owner Cheryl Adams -- someone he had never met -- from being evicted from her downtown shop. The man, a Tennyson High School graduate, said he had once visited The Hempery and its medical marijuana dispensary. A medical marijuana patient himself, he read with interest about her business' potential demise in an ANG Newspapers' publication and decided to bail her out, he said. "It's the oldest (dispensary) in town, and I thought it would be a shame to let it go," he explained. [continues 423 words]
Business Owner Behind on Rent HAYWARD -- Cheryl Adams, who owns The Hayward Hempery and its medical marijuana dispensary, has been evicted from her business's downtown building at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and B Street, her landlord said. Adams, who has been running one of the county's oldest and best-known dispensaries, was evicted because she was several months behind on rent, said Mountain View Realtor and property owner Ron Ikebe. For lease and for sale signs went up Friday, although Adams still has a few more days to pay and possibly getback on the lease, Ikebe said. [continues 303 words]
A Hayward medical marijuana dispensary owner plans to defend herself against felony drug possession charges in a case that could be one of the first tests of a related new state law. Cheryl Adams, who owns the Hayward Hempery and its Hayward Patient Group, was arrested at 12:20 a.m. Dec. 12 in front of the TownPlace Suites hotel at 39802 Cedar Blvd. in Newark, where she had been living. She allegedly was driving with 5.32 pounds of marijuana in 29 small plastic bags, said Newark police Sgt. Fred Zachau. [continues 662 words]
Hempery Proprieter Booked For Possession, Transport, Intent To Sell A Hayward medical marijuana dispensary owner plans to defend herself against felony drug possession charges in a case that could be one of the first tests of a related new state law. Cheryl Adams, who owns the Hayward Hempery and its Hayward Patient Group, was arrested at 12:20 a.m. on Dec. 12 in front of the TownPlace Suites hotel at 39802 Cedar Blvd., Newark, where she had been living. She allegedly was driving with 5.32 pounds of marijuana in 29 separate small plastic bags, said Newark police Sgt. Fred Zachau. [continues 650 words]
Debate Could Move Dispensaries To Unincorporated Areas Of Alameda County HAYWARD -- The Hayward City Council sanctioned three existing downtown medical marijuana dispensaries this week, leaving a fourth dispensary -- a newcomer to the debate -- out of the grandfathering agreement. The council's decision pretty much nips in the bud the 10-month discussion on the extent to which Hayward should allow the dispensary operations, amid conflicting state and federal laws and efforts to revive downtown. But the issue likely will remain a buzz in neighboring areas of unincorporated Alameda County, where the fourth Hayward dispensary -- now located through double doors of a Main Street coffee shop -- might relocate. [continues 781 words]
Debate Could Now Move HAYWARD -- The Hayward City Council on Tuesday night sanctioned three existing downtown medical marijuana dispensaries, leaving a fourth dispensary -- a newcomer to the debate -- out of the grandfathering agreement. The council's decision pretty much ends the 10-month discussion on the extent to which Hayward should allow the dispensary operations, amid conflicting state and federal laws and efforts to revive downtown. But the issue likely will remain abuzz in neighboring areas of unincorporated Alameda County, where the fourth Hayward dispensary -- now located through double doors of a Main Street coffee shop -- might relocate. [continues 787 words]
HAYWARD -- The City Council might reconsider a decision it made Tuesday that forces the closure of The Hayward Hempery's medical marijuana dispensary. At the request of Mayor Roberta Cooper, who is concerned about "fairness issues," the council is scheduled Tuesday night to decide whether to revisit a surprise decision it made a week before. Earlier that night, Cooper warned the crowd of medical marijuana proponents to keep testimony brief because the council's ability to make rational decisions drops significantly after 11 p.m. [continues 282 words]
Council Vote Ends Era For The Hempery As Supplier HAYWARD -- This year will mark both the 10th anniversary of The Hayward Hempery and the likely closure of its pot dispensary as a result of a surprise City Council decision Tuesday. The council was scheduled to consider the grandfathering of The Hempery and the Local Patients' Cooperative -- both on Foothill Boulevard near B Street -- as part of a compromise agreement that evolved from a city task force on medical marijuana. The dispensaries, including a third one that recently opened in the same vicinity on Foothill, have been operating in violation of Hayward's zoning law. [continues 890 words]
Decision To Close Hempery May Be Re-Examined At Future Meeting HAYWARD -- The City Council might reconsider a decision it made Tuesday that forces the closure of the Hayward Hempery's medical marijuana dispensary. At the request of Mayor Roberta Cooper, who is concerned about "fairness issues," the council is scheduled Tuesday night to decide whether to revisit a surprise decision it made a week before. Earlier that night, Cooper warned the crowd of medical marijuana proponents to keep testimony brief because the council's ability to make rational decisions drops significantly after 11 p.m. [continues 300 words]
Hayward Allows Two Dispensaries To Remain Open HAYWARD -- This year will mark both the 10th anniversary of The Hayward Hempery and the likely closure of its pot dispensary, as a result of a surprise City Council decision Tuesday. The council was scheduled to consider grandfathering in The Hempery and the Local Patients' Cooperative -- both on Foothill Boulevard near B Street -- as part of a compromise agreement that evolved from a city task force on medical marijuana. The dispensaries, including a third one that recently opened in the same vicinity on Foothill, have been operating in violation of Hayward's zoning law. [continues 900 words]
The City Coun-cil informally agreed Tuesday evening on a compromise that allows three existing medical marijuana dispensaries to stay open in downtown Hayward on the east side of Foothill Boulevard. After hashing over concerns of the 40-some medical marijuana advocates who crowded the work session room, council members said the issue isn't about whether they support pot for medicinal uses. They apparently do -- almost all voiced concern for those in pain and in need of well-run dispensaries. [continues 558 words]
HAYWARD -- A bill Gov. Gray Davis signed into law Sunday creating a state identification card for medical marijuana patients could snuff out the city's proposal to create its own ID card program. The City Council is scheduled to discuss the issuance of ID cards at a work session at 5 p.m. today at City Hall, Room 2A, 777 B St., Hayward. The meeting, open to the public, also will address an informal deal city officials struck with two existing downtown dispensaries that allows them to exist for three years under certain conditions. [continues 536 words]
Members Agree On Proposal For Hayward's Dispensaries HAYWARD -- The issue of how to deal with the city's medical marijuana dispensaries has been pretty much nipped in the bud. After just two meetings of a city ad hoc committee on the subject, members agreed to a plan, subject to the City Council's approval, that would allow two dispensaries on Foothill Boulevard to exist for at least three years under certain conditions. A third existing dispensary on B Street is moving to a new location on Foothill Boulevard north of the city border on unincorporated county land, according to committee members. [continues 564 words]
'We're not against helping patients, we just don't want it downtown' HAYWARD -- Community leaders this week convened a budding debate about the extent to which medical marijuana dispensaries should be allowed downtown. The meeting was the first of an ad-hoc committee set up by Mayor Roberta Cooper to look into the political and practical ramifications of sanctioning the three existing dispensaries, now operating against Hayward's zoning law. The dispensaries also may be in violation of criminal law, depending upon whom you ask. Proposition 215 legalized marijuana for medicinal uses in California, although it is still considered illegal under federal law. [continues 598 words]
Phillip Mol Founded Medical Marijuana Dispensary In Hayward HAYWARD -- When Phillip Mol was a boy, he dreamed of becoming a physicist or an astronomer, not an advocate for patients of medical marijuana. "I never thought I would be the guy trying to change things," said Mol, who founded the Helping Hands Patients' Center, a downtown cannabis dispensary. But after he overcame heroin addiction -- on top of severe manic-depression - -- Mol's career goals took on a higher calling, he said. Mol, 41, is a leader in the local effort to legalize Hayward's three downtown dispensaries under city code. His business, opened in October 2001, is aimed at offering cannabis patients an efficient, comfortable setting, with some of the lowest prices in the Bay Area, he said. [continues 660 words]
Group's Mission Is HAYWARD -- The City Council has created an ad hoc committee on medicinal marijuana dispensaries that could put Hayward's slogan to the test. "Hayward calls itself 'The Heart of the Bay' mostly because of its geography," said Councilman Kevin Dowling. "But it also means that we are a compassionate place. We don't want to ask people who are sick to go out and buy marijuana on the street." After hours of testimony from 24 medical marijuana proponents, the council 'voted a week' ago after 5 to 2 in favor of establishing the committee, with councilmen Joe Hilson and Matt Jimenez in dissent. [continues 701 words]
Group's Mission Is To Gather Data, Come Up With Ways To Sanction 3 Existing Sites. The City Council on Tuesday night created an ad hoc committee on medicinal marijuana dispensaries that could put Hayward's slogan to the test. "Hayward calls itself 'The Heart of the Bay' mostly because of its geography," said Councilman Kevin Dowling. "But it also means that we are a compassionate place. We don't want to ask people who are sick to go out and buy marijuana on the street." [continues 761 words]
Sides Argue Effect HAYWARD -- Medical marijuana dispensary owners say their facilities help fuel the downtown economy by attract-ing about 70 patients each day. Downtown business leaders, however, even those who support the use of medicinal pot, question whether the dispensaries have the opposite effect. "Whether they are upstairs, next door or down the street, they may deter the very businesses we are trying to attract," said Scott Raty, president of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce. "They aren't consistent with the goals to create a pedestrian-oriented downtown." [continues 523 words]
HAYWARD -- Medical marijuana dispensary owners say their facilities help fuel the downtown economy by attracting about 70 patients downtown each day. Downtown business leaders, however, even those who support the use of medicinal pot, question whether the dispensaries have the opposite effect. "Whether they are upstairs, next door or down the street, they may deter the very businesses we are trying to attract," said Scott Raty, president of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce. "They aren't consistent with the goals to create a pedestrian-oriented downtown." [continues 514 words]
Purveyors Had Been Alerted That Laws Don't Allow for Marijuana Distribution The City Council agreed Tuesday night to consider sanctioning medical marijuana dispensaries at its next meeting. The council didn't express explicit support for the three existing downtown dispensaries and appeared wary of the legal complications involved in allowing them to stay. "This is a start," said Phillip Mol, owner of Helping Hands Patients' Center, a B Street dispensary. City officials recently notified the three existing dispensaries -- Helping Hands, Local Patients Cooperative and the Hayward Hempery -- that they are breaking Hayward's zoning law, which doesn't allow for marijuana dispensing. [continues 604 words]
Three Downtown Marijuana Dispensaries Violate Zoning Laws HAYWARD -- The federal government says marijuana is illegal. But, the state and a majority of California voters who approved Proposition 215 in 1996 consider the plant legal for medicinal use. So where does that leave cities such as Hayward, with its three existing downtown medical marijuana dispensaries? City officials, who only recently learned of the dispensaries in town, say the businesses are violating the city's zoning law. But medical cannabis proponents say it's up to cities to develop guidelines and standards to help implement the state medical marijuana law. Cities such as San Francisco and Fairfax in Marin County have already done so. [continues 851 words]
HAYWARD -- The federal government says marijuana is illegal. But, the state and a majority of California voters who approved Proposition 215 in 1996 consider the plant legal for medicinal use. So where does that leave cities such as Hayward, with its three existing downtown medical marijuana dispensaries? City officials, who only recently learned of the dispensaries in town, say the businesses are violating the city's zoning law. But medical cannabis proponents say it's up to cities to develop guidelines and standards to help implement the state medical marijuana law. Cities such as San Francisco and Fair-fax in Marin County have already done so. [continues 821 words]
Three Clinics Have Been Operating Quietly, And Two More Have Applied For Permits To Open HAYWARD -- A sprouting hub of medical marijuana dispensaries has some people calling the downtown area "Haysterdam," a hybrid of Hayward and Amsterdam -- the Dutch city known for its drug tolerance. Within just a couple of blocks, there are three businesses dispensing medical marijuana, and two are proposed for the future. "Hayward is the first stop for people coming from the Peninsula and Santa Clara County," said Phillip Mol, owner of Helping Hands Patients' Center on B Street, adding that patients stop in Hayward instead of traveling to Oakland for marijuana. [continues 602 words]
