cannabisnews.com: Newsom Declares Moratorium on Med Marijuana Clubs





Newsom Declares Moratorium on Med Marijuana Clubs
Posted by CN Staff on March 21, 2005 at 14:29:36 PT
By Suzanne Herel, Chronicle Staff Writer
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Calif. -- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom called for a moratorium today on medical marijuana clubs in the city after learning that one such clinic planned to open on the ground floor of a city-funded welfare hotel that is home to a number of recovering drug addicts. "That obviously raised some concern, not just from the community, not just from our Departments of Human Services, but from the residents within the building themselves, who appropriately said, ‘Hey, I'm just trying to get away from drugs and alcohol and here you have a pot club downstairs,' " Newsom said.
"It was at that moment that our office started looking at a way we could amend all of our contracts with the Department of Human Services to restrict the ability to purchase ... units under the Care Not Cash program and restrict the use of medicinal marijuana clubs in those facilities." The pot club that grabbed Newsom's attention was the Holistic Center, which plans to open this week on the ground floor of the All-Star Hotel in the Mission District. The hotel is among a dozen that serve welfare tenants under Newsom's Care Not Cash program. Since state voters passed Proposition 215 in 1996, legalizing the use of medicinal marijuana, San Francisco has become home to more than 30 percent of the state's 125-plus dispensaries, Newsom said. However, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly how many such clinics operate in the city, he said, because they are not regulated. There are no legal requirements in San Francisco to show an identification card when purchasing marijuana, no licensing or permitting necessary for clubs, and no restrictions on prices or client age. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/newsom.htmSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Suzanne Herel, Chronicle Staff WriterPublished:  Monday, March 21, 2005Copyright: 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Related Articles & Web Sites:Americans For Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.orgMedical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmPot Clubs - Press Democrathttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20378.shtmlCouncil Should Let Supreme Court Decide http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20331.shtmlResolve Issues on Medical Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20329.shtml 
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on March 31, 2005 at 09:09:12 PT
Related Article from The San Francisco Chronicle
Pot Club Moratorium Difficult to EnforceSuzanne Herel, Chronicle Staff WriterThursday, March 31, 2005 
 San Francisco's new moratorium on medicinal pot clubs will have to rely largely on the honesty of proprietors, because the clubs don't need permits to open in the city. Wayne Justmann, a longtime medicinal marijuana activist, likened the ban, passed Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors, to a restraining order. "It's going to have to rely on the goodwill of the individuals who claim that they want to come in and be part of the medicinal cannabis community of San Francisco," said Justmann, who nevertheless supports the moratorium. "While it may not have any teeth, it's a sign that the board is going to enact laws that are enforceable," said Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin. "Regulating cannabis clubs is uncharted waters for the city of San Francisco. As we figure our way, there may be other interim controls put in place." The board, along with Mayor Gavin Newsom, wants city officials to use the 45 days to work with the public and devise ways to regulate the clubs so that they suit the needs of patients, the community and club owners. An initial public hearing before a board subcommittee is scheduled for April 25. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/03/31/BAGIOC13F61.DTL
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on March 30, 2005 at 08:58:45 PT
Related Article from The San Francisco Chronicle
City Puts Moratorium on New Pot Clubs Supervisors to focus on regulating existing dozens.Suzanne Herel, Chronicle Staff WriterWednesday, March 30, 2005 No more medicinal marijuana clinics will be allowed to open in San Francisco until new laws are drafted to regulate them, the Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday. Board members enacted a 45-day moratorium on such establishments to give themselves time to rein in existing clubs, which have been sprouting up all over town and are essentially unregulated. The vote was 9-0, with Supervisors Gerardo Sandoval and Chris Daly absent from the meeting. Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, a supporter of medicinal marijuana and decriminalizing the drug, spearheaded the moratorium. "We are not impinging upon the ability to administer medical cannabis," he said. Rather, he said, he wants comprehensive regulations -- with input from the community -- in part to protect the clinics from federal assault. Snipped:Complete Article: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/03/30/BAGE2C0J1C1.DTL
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Comment #8 posted by john wayne on March 26, 2005 at 00:51:32 PT
newsom needs education, not more hair oil
Dear NewSum.You have come out strongly in favor of gay marriage, and labor rights. At the same time you favor the prohibitionist argument, that the nearly-universal acceptance of cannabis in SF is somehow a bad thing. What's more, you plan to tilt at that windmill with a moratorium. Dear NewSum. It is clear to whom you wish to throw a bone.  Thanks for the sellout. 
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on March 24, 2005 at 13:33:06 PT
Interesting
The SFChronicle has two ads for vaporizers on that page.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on March 24, 2005 at 13:06:04 PT
Related Article from The San Francisco Chronicle
Editorial: Stoner CentralThursday, March 24, 2005 
 San Francisco has copped a new honor: It's home to 30 percent of the state's pot clubs. Embarrassed city leaders are scrambling to cap the number while figuring out what to do with a medical-marijuana movement out of control. It is hoped that they will come up with more than a feel-good solution. In 1996, California voters humanely approved a measure allowing a few hits of weed to ease pain and suffering. But federal law recognizes no such right. The result is an underworld that sells pot with few rules. Snipped:Complete Article: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/03/24/EDG07BTACM1.DTL
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on March 23, 2005 at 13:52:44 PT
Related Article from KCBS.com
Current Pot Club Owners Happy About SF MoratoriumMarch 23, 2005(KCBS) - Now that San Francisco has enacted a moratorium on new medical marijuana clubs in the city, those who are already in operation feel more at ease. KCBS reporter Margie Shafer says there are currently 37 marijuana dispensaries in San Francisco, and they vary greatly from size to atmosphere. Noah Lendling has operated the Alternative Relief Co-op on Ocean Avenue for three years. His clean shop sells fine teas, incense and medical cannabis. "We don't give the medicine any names," he said. "We rate everything on a strength basis. We carry 30 grades." Lendling said people were going overboard. In fact, a new pot club had been planned right across the street. "There are more dispensaries than are needed, with new ones popping up," he said. "It seems like everyone who likes marijuana wants to open a dispensary now." Lendling told KCBS he would like to see the city enact regulations. "I wish there would be some type of regulation to keep good places open and keep bad places from opening up," he said. "They're not making sure that people aren't re-selling. A lot of places don't even put labels or anything on their medication." Across town on Divisadero, convicted cocaine dealer Jeff Hunter opened up Happy Days Herbal Relief Center two months ago. Unlike Lendling's shop, where cannabis is dispensed in the back and clearly labeled in prescription bottles, Hunter's shop features cannabis hanging in the air and displayed in a bakery style case. A chalk board shows several colorfully named varieties. Hunter told KCBS he does not want any more competition. "Not even a block away, this guy opened up about two weeks ago," Hunter said. "I'm not making a whole lot. I'm just trying to stay competitive." The city is currently studying potential regulations for pot clubs. http://www.kcbs.com/pages/kcbs/news/news_story.nsp?story_id=67518492&ID=kcbs&scategory=Computers
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 23, 2005 at 07:25:56 PT
Related Article from The San Francisco Chronicle
Marijuana Club Won't Open in Mission Hotel Supervisors to vote on 45-day ban for new clinic openingsSuzanne Herel, Chronicle Staff WriterWednesday, March 23, 2005 
 San Francisco, Calif. -- The owner of a city-funded welfare hotel in San Francisco canceled his lease Tuesday with a medical marijuana clinic that was planning to open on the ground floor this week, after Mayor Gavin Newsom cited it as Exhibit A for a moratorium on new cannabis clubs. Craig Walker, a construction company owner who uses marijuana for back pain, had planned to open his Holistic Center on Friday at the All Star Hotel on 16th Street in the Mission District. Late Tuesday, he got the news in a meeting with the hotel owner that the agreement was off. "I'm discouraged and disappointed," Walker said. However, he added, "I'm not mad. I am for good regulation. I agree with the mayor -- there has to be more thought put into this." Snipped:Complete Article: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/03/23/BAGCTBTC4G1.DTL
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 22, 2005 at 13:12:35 PT
Related Article from The San Francisco Chronicle
Newsom Wants Rules on Pot Clubs Moratorium sought; center plans to open in city-funded hotelSuzanne Herel, Chronicle Staff WriterTuesday, March 22, 2005 
 San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom called for a moratorium Monday on opening medical marijuana clubs in the city after learning that one plans to open on the ground floor of a city-funded welfare hotel. Responding to Newsom's request, the Board of Supervisors is expected today to introduce an emergency ordinance instituting a 45-day halt on new cannabis clubs while the city investigates ways to regulate them. Passage will require a yes vote from nine of the 11 supervisors at next week's meeting. "We have frankly ... been lax on this," Newsom said. "I will take personal criticism to the extent that I am the mayor of San Francisco, that I have not been diligent, and nor has the elected family been diligent, in the oversight. "I believe in the core of my cores that medicinal marijuana is appropriate and right," Newsom said. "That being said, I also think there needs to be some common sense and grounding as it relates to the proliferation of these clubs in San Francisco." Snipped:Complete Article: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/03/22/MNGDGBT0061.DTL
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on March 21, 2005 at 19:22:44 PT
DPFCA: UPDATE: Raich Supreme Court Decision 
Hello Everyone,I just wanted to send out a quick update about the Raich Supreme Court decision. http://www.angeljustice.org/article.php?id=56Did you go to the Supreme Court the day of the Raich Supreme Court oral argument? If so, you may be in one of the photos from the morning of the Supreme Court or at the press conference. If you did not go to the Supreme Court you may want to check out all of the great photos.Raich Supreme Court Photos http://www.angeljustice.org/gallery.php?gal=11Montel Williams Show Photo Gallery http://www.angeljustice.org/gallery.php?gal=12Check out all the photo galleries on angeljustice.org http://www.angeljustice.org/article.php?list=type&type=26Below you will find one of the projects I am working on with Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)-- Compassion and Justice, Angel McClary Raich angel raich-v-ashcroft.com 510-764-1499 messageDownload the major pleadings from our litigation (Raich v. Ashcroft) at: http://angeljustice.org or http://angeljustice.comDear Friend:The U.S. Supreme Court will soon issue its landmark ruling on the "Ashcroft v. Raich" medical marijuana case. Would you please commit to taking action immediately after the ruling is issued? Please read on ...At issue is whether the federal government has the constitutional authority to arrest and prosecute patients who are using medical marijuana in compliance with state laws. Visit http://www.mpp.org/raich for background on the case.If the Court rules in favor of Angel Raich -- a medical marijuana patient from Oakland, California -- the federal government's war on medical marijuana will essentially be over.A ruling against Raich, however, will not overturn state medical marijuana laws or otherwise interfere with their operation. Rather, such a ruling would simply continue the status quo: Patients in the 10 states with medical marijuana laws will remain protected under state law but will continue to risk prosecution under federal law.In short, a ruling against Raich will make it clear that federal law must be changed by Congress, not the Supreme Court, which means we'll need to push harder than ever for Congress to take action.WHAT YOU CAN DOIf the Supreme Court rules against medical marijuana patients, we'll need you to immediately swing into action to lobby Congress to end the federal government's attacks on medical marijuana patients and caregivers.To be specific, we need you to organize or attend a protest outside of your U.S. representative's local district office precisely two days after the decision is announced -- to urge your U.S. representative to vote for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment to the Justice Department's spending bill, in order to prevent the DEA from spending any money to arrest medical marijuana patients or providers who are acting legally under state law.Please visit http://www.RaichAction.org , where you can: * find out where your U.S. representative's local district offices are located; * print flyers to hand out at the demonstration; and * print talking points about the medical marijuana amendment.Please e-mail notify raichaction.org if you want to organize or attend a demonstration in your area. (Please be sure to tell us the exact location where you will hold your demonstration, including city and state.) We will send an alert the day of the decision notifying you that it's time to act, with the demonstration taking place two days later.You won't be alone. A host of medical marijuana groups and activists are coming together all over the country to tell Congress to stand up for patients.And remember, if we win in the Supreme Court or in Congress, the federal war on medical marijuana patients will be over.Sincerely, Rob Kampia Executive Director Marijuana Policy Project Washington, D.C.P.S. Legislators do listen to their constituents, so you truly can make a difference. Last year, as the result of constituent pressure and protests, Republican Congressman Rob Simmons changed his mind and voted for the medical marijuana amendment on the House floor. (Please visit http://mpp.org/CT/news_7461.html to read about the demonstration that MPP helped organize outside of Simmons' office in Connecticut.)P.P.S. Please don't forget to visit http://www.mpp.org/galas to purchase your ticket for MPP's 10th anniversary galas (in Washington, D.C., on May 4 and Los Angeles on May 9). Celebrities and members of Congress will be attending both events. All proceeds will support MPP's work to end our government's war on marijuana users.
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Comment #1 posted by Taylor121 on March 21, 2005 at 17:11:57 PT
Health Advocates Rejecting Marijuana...
Supervisor Horn To Introduce Anti-Marijuana InitiativeLast Updated:
03-21-05 at 11:51AMCounty Supervisor Bill Horn Monday will unveil the HARM, or Health Advocates Rejecting Marijuana, initiative. Proponents say the idea is to reduce problems associated with marijuana, especially in youth, by changing community norms and perception of its harm. The coalition backing the initiative includes community groups such as the San Dieguito Alliance for Drug Free Youth and the Tri-City Prevention Collaborative. "Telling young people that marijuana is harmful is not enough," the groups' statement says. "Health Advocates Rejecting Marijuana, the HARM initiative, urges adults and policy makers to re-think the environment that is influencing youth use of marijuana." According to a California Healthy Kids Survey, more youth smoke marijuana than cigarettes in San Diego.Nearly half of juvenile arrestees in a recent San Diego Association of Governments study tested positive for marijuana. http://www.kfmb.com/stories/story.7994.html
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