Voting yes on Measure D, an advisory measure, indicates support for enacting a medical marijuana dispensaries ordinance that would permit the establishment of a single dispensary.

A no vote indicates support of prohibiting a dispensary.

In 2005, Albany received an inquiry about establishing a medical marijuana dispensary, but the city had no specific regulations to control or regulate dispensaries, according to an impartial analysis of the measure by the city attorney.

In May 2005, the City Council approved a moratorium that restricted the establishment of a dispensary until the matter was studied. The council decided to place the advisory measure on the ballot before choosing whether to enact an ordinance permitting or prohibiting a dispensary.

If a dispensary is permitted, the city would likely "incur costs for monitoring and enforcing regulations, as well as potential demands on law enforcement personnel," states the city attorney's analysis.

No arguments against the measure have been filed with the city.

An argument in favor, signed by Mayor Allan Maris, Councilman Robert Lieber and others, says the city has "written a strong ordinance for a single safe marijuana dispensary."

The ordinance would not allow on-site use, and forbids the dispensary from being located near schools or parks. Albany police had a major role in drafting the ordinance.

"A vote for approving this single dispensary will continue to demonstrate Albany's compassion for the sick and suffering in our community," states the argument. "A yes vote will affirm our belief that a person's private health matters should be decided by the individual and his or her physician."

WHAT IT WOULD DO: A yes vote indicates support for enacting a medical marijuana dispensaries ordinance that would permit the establishment of a single dispensary. A no vote indicates support of prohibiting a dispensary.

VOTES TO PASS: Majority

SUPPORTERS: Mayor Allan Maris; Councilman Robert Lieber; Planning and Zoning Commissioner Leo Panian; Rebecca Saltzman, coordinator of East Bay Americans for Safe Access; resident and medical marijuana patient Bradley Glore.

OPPONENTS: No arguments against have been filed with the city.

Source: Contra Costa Times (CA)
Author: Justin Hill, Contra Costa Times
Published: October 8, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Knight Ridder
Contact: letters@cctimes.com
Website: http://www.contracostatimes.com/

Americans For Safe Access
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/

CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives
http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml

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Isn't Berkeley great? (Albany is the northern suburb).

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