cannabisnews.com: Grover Beach Temporarily Bans MMJ Dispensaries





Grover Beach Temporarily Bans MMJ Dispensaries
Posted by CN Staff on January 05, 2005 at 10:27:58 PT
By Karin Driesen, Staff Writer 
Source: Times-Press-Recorder
Grover Beach -- The community joined a growing list of cities wanting to gain the upper hand on regulating medical marijuana by temporarily banning marijuana dispensaries within their jurisdictions.The City Council voted unanimously Monday night to pass an urgency ordinance that would prohibit the establishment of such businesses for 45 days. The council could extend the ordinance for several months when it revisits the issue in early February.
Both Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo passed similar ordinances within the last few months, forcing surrounding cities to look at their own situations."The fact that the adjoining city of Arroyo Grande has passed its moratorium increases the possibility that groups who are desirous of establishing dispensaries in this area will target Grover Beach," city attorney Martin Koczanowicz explained in his report.The question of how to deal with potential dispensaries has come up in jurisdictions across the state as they grapple with the fact that medical marijuana has been legalized in California but remains illegal under federal law. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the California dilemma in November.Until the court makes a ruling sometime later this year, many cities are considering zoning ordinances to at least regulate where dispensaries may be located. Some are using the temporary ban to give staff time to come up with policies should the court rule in favor of the state law.Cities could potentially decide to ban dispensaries entirely, but until the court hands down its decision, the legality of that action is questionable.California voters passed the Compassionate Use Act, or Proposition 215, in 1996. In 2003, the state Legislature passed a law that provided more specific guidelines to implement the measure, including direction to the State Department of Health Services to implement an identification program for qualified users."Without (such a program), it is extremely difficult for law enforcement officers to distinguish between the individuals who possess legitimate (medical use) recommendations from those who do not," according to Koczanowicz's report.To date, no such program has been implemented statewide, and cities cite that as another reason for at least temporarily banning the dispensaries on their own, although an ID program has been implemented in Santa Barbara County.Increased crime is also touted as a result of having marijuana dispensaries in a community. Crimes range from sale of marijuana to those who do not have a legitimate recommendation from a doctor to violent robberies of the dispensaries themselves, the report added.For many in Grover Beach, the issue resembles that of adult business ordinances. When the city realized Fantasy World had opened on West Grand Avenue a year ago, it was too late in implementing adequate regulations to keep such a store from the major thoroughfare.Although Fantasy World closed, Diamond Adult World subsequently opened on Grand.Now the city is embroiled in a legal battle with that store's owner, something the council wants to avoid when it comes to medical marijuana."I think it clearly is a case of us staying ahead of an applicant that wants to come in," said Councilman David Ekbom.If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the state's law, Grover Beach could have zoning ordinances in place that restrict where dispensaries might be allowed.Already, the commercial areas where they might fit cover only a small part of the city, officials said.Additionally, the city would create regulations governing such issues as hours of operation, security plans and on-site activities, like prohibiting the sale of alcohol.Note: Move allows city to prepare for Supreme Court ruling.Complete Title: Grover Beach Temporarily Bans Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Source: Times-Press-Recorder (CA)Author: Karin Driesen, Staff Writer Published: January 5, 2005Copyright: 2005 Pulitzer Central Coast NewspapersContact: mhodgson pulitzer.netWebsite: http://www.timespressrecorder.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmGrover Guards Against Pot Centershttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20089.shtmlAll Eyes on SLO as City Looks at Medical Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19659.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by mayan on January 05, 2005 at 17:34:10 PT
Hit Em' Where It Hurts
Cities could potentially decide to ban dispensaries entirely, but until the court hands down its decision, the legality of that action is questionable.So sue them and find out! How are legitimate patients supposed to obtain their medicine if there are no dispensaries nearby? Perhaps people could refrain from conducting any business or spending any money whatsoever in any city that bans dispensaries! Boycott them and hit em' where it hurts! THE VOTE FRAUD MUST BE EXPOSED..."No Stolen Elections!" Delivers Petitions To Feingold:
http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/news/4049320/detail.htmlEditorial: Don't certify Ohio results: 
http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/index.php?ntid=23419&ntpid=0What Went Wrong in Ohio - Status Report of the House Judiciary Committee Democratic Staff:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_05/010605Y.shtmlBlackwell Boasts About "Delivering" Ohio to Bush:
http://rawstory.rawprint.com/105/blackwell_campaign_letter_105.phpHouse Dems to Contest Electoral Vote Count: 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4711345,00.htmlBEYOND ANY REASONABLE DOUBT, BUSH DID NOT WIN THE OHIO OR NATIONAL VOTE:
http://www.ilcaonline.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1419&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0The "Crime of November 2": The human side of how Bush stole Ohio, and why Congress must investigate rather than ratify the Electoral College (Part 2 of 2) 
http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/19/2005/1067Send a fax to a Senator!
http://www.lightwingarts.com/faxsenator.asp Ohio Update:
http://www.votecobb.org/
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Comment #5 posted by JustGetnBy on January 05, 2005 at 14:18:05 PT
  What If !!!!!
  I am so tired of the Antis using the "What If"justification for their freedom crushing assaults on the Bill of Rights. Hell, if what ifs were playable cards, I could justify cannabilism, Think about it.       namaste
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 05, 2005 at 11:57:24 PT
runruff
Your sister is doing very worthwhile work. Like Bob Dylan said, We've got to serve somebody. Helping others is the best thing a person can do. I do hope because of the disaster that the Bird Flu doesn't take hold in that area since it could very well happen and could be a really bad epidemic. They have had a few cases in Thailand and in Vietnam. 
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Comment #3 posted by runruff on January 05, 2005 at 11:48:11 PT:
FoM
Hi FoM,Yes. Thats it. Still Under constuction. But she is always crazy busy.Namaste 
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 05, 2005 at 11:37:57 PT
runruff
Is this your sister's web site?http://www.childrenofthehour.com/
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on January 05, 2005 at 11:29:57 PT:
My sis.
HELLO EVERYONE!I was talking to my little sister last night. She isn't little anymore, only to me. Actually she is a very proud grandmother now. But about our conversation. She alway had a dream to help the poor and suffering of the world so in 1989 she funded her first trip to the Philippines and then to India. She the began to set up an ophanage with her own resources after selling her home she was soon out of money so in 1999 while I was making a good living myself I funded my sister's present orgination, Childernoftheour.com You should go there and she what she has done on her own since. Her org. is now supported by donations. She is leaving for India in a few days and my family always worries about her while she is gone espically now with this latest disaster.Her program is to comb the mountians for little girls with lepracy, since they are always considered throw-aways in this very harsh invioment, she then brings them to a clinic built and staffed by her org. where they are treated. Then They are taken to a childern of the hour home/shcool where they are raised and educated. One of her first girls has become an architect and designed their latest facility. [There is a small picture of it on the web-site]If anyone should feel so inclined to donate please do so knowing you have helped save a life and given a future to an otherwise throw-away human being.Namaste 
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