cannabisnews.com: Green Rush Fever Green Rush Fever Posted by CN Staff on March 31, 2005 at 18:22:11 PT By Ann Harrison, AlterNet Source: AlterNet San Francisco, the city where the medical cannabis movement was born, is now working to develop regulations for its medical cannabis dispensaries that could become a model for other cities throughout the nation.San Francisco city supervisors voted this week to enact a 45-day moratorium on new medical marijuana clubs that are flooding into the city. The number of San Francisco dispensaries has exploded from 10 three years ago, to an estimated 37 clubs. The San Francisco Department of Public Heath has now issued 8,000 medical marijuana ID cards, up from 2,000 in 2002. There are approximately 125 medical cannabis dispensaries throughout California. Each is subject to local regulations. Opening a new dispensary in San Francisco now requires only a business license and approval of the landlord for a change-of-use permit. California's 1996 Compassionate Use Act (Prop. 215) allows medical marijuana patients and their caregivers to possess and cultivate cannabis if the patient has a doctor's recommendation to use marijuana. But Prop. 215 and a subsequent state senate bill SB420 set up no explicit guidelines for commercial dispensaries, where most San Francisco patients obtain their cannabis.Federal authorities do not recognize state medical marijuana laws and continue to arrest marijuana cultivators and distributors. This week, agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration seized 500 marijuana plants from a San Francisco warehouse, but it was not clear whether the growers were supplying dispensaries. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule any day on the case of Ashcroft v. Raich, which will determine whether the federal government has the authority to prosecute medical cannabis patients and growers operating under state law.Some activists fear that if the court rules in favor of the federal government, dispensaries will be targeted for a crackdown by federal authorities. But the immediate pressure to regulate San Francisco's dispensaries is coming from neighborhood groups and Mayor Gavin Newsom, who called for tighter regulations after learning that a dispensary was planning to open on the ground floor of a city-funded welfare hotel.The effort to regulate San Francisco's dispensaries is being led by City Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who has been meeting with dispensary owners, neighborhood representatives, patients and activists to develop a set of dispensary guidelines. Mirkarimi said the moratorium, which can be extended up to 22 months, will not limit patients' access to medical cannabis and gives the city and its residents breathing room to set some rules. "We don't want to trigger the intervention of the federal or state government," Mirkarimi said.During a public hearing on the moratorium, Mirkarimi noted that the nearby city of Oakland had moved to limit the number of dispensaries there from nine to four without extensive public input."I would like us to undertake a very deliberative process set by a number of hearings where good people can weigh in on the development of new laws," said Mirkarimi. "The 45-day moratorium does not penalize existing clubs."Some activists feel that the moratorium will hurt competition and reduce services to patients. Steph Sherer, director of Americans for Safe Access, which advocates for medical cannabis patients, says over 28 cities and towns around the state have already passed moratoriums, some of which have prevented any dispensaries from opening in their community."It's different in San Francisco where there is access to medical cannabis, but moratoriums in places like Pasadena where there aren't any dispensaries end up being bad for patients," said Sherer. "The city of San Francisco is a leader on this issue and we don't want to see moratoriums all over the state."In an effort to make sure everyone's views are heard, Mirkarimi has scheduled an April 25 hearing before the Board of Supervisor's Government Audit and Oversight Committee to discuss proposed regulations including new zoning rules. A group of San Francisco dispensary owners have developed their own proposed guidelines. These include provisions requiring dispensaries to provide a place for patients to smoke cannabis on site, offer cannabis at reduced prices to needy patients, discourage resale of medical cannabis, and abstain from "excessive profits," meaning cannabis prices must not be substantially higher than fair market value."We have a rare opportunity to really set a standard for the rest of the state and the rest of the country for years to come," said Martin Olive, co-director of the Vapor Room dispensary in San Francisco, which drafted the proposed guidelines. "I have faith in the city and I think that everyone had honest intention and integrity and there is a genuine consensus that we are working for the same goals. There were too many years where the city was not doing anything and everyone was just in limbo, and now the city is taking an interest and forcing everyone to focus and unify their voices."Mike Aldrich, co-founder of CHAMP, one of the first San Francisco dispensaries, says he wants every patient issued a city ID card to join a proposed San Francisco Cannabis Cooperative. Patient cooperatives, which are permitted to grow medical cannabis under state law, could then decide whether to license dispensaries and perhaps set up an ombudsman committee to deal with complaints, said Aldrich.The regulatory process in San Francisco is tackling neighborhood issues that other communities with dispensaries may confront. At a neighborhood meeting earlier this week, residents who live near the Mendohealing Clinic dispensary in the city's South of Market district complained that the facility attracted loiterers, increased illegal parking and led to harassment of pedestrians. Other neighbors raised concerns about the proximity of dispensaries to schools and religious centers where children might be present."We have made mistakes, we are looking for guidance from the city," said dispensary operator Alan Novey. He said the dispensary installed more security guards, but people gathered at the door because the club gave away free cannabis to indigent patients. "We want to move; we realize that the location should be fair to the neighborhood," Novey said.The city's shift towards moratorium and regulations has been supported by many patients and dispensary operators. In a community where internal discussions have often been adversarial, San Francisco dispensary operator Randi Webster says this newfound unity demonstrates that the medical marijuana community has grown up and is seeking to legitimize what they have already legalized."We have to be accountable and as with any responsibility, there is a corresponding right," said Webster. "The patients have a right to be heard now and the patients need to have protection and validation and services in this city. We are working with the city, not waiting for it to be decided by the city."San Francisco's cannabis policies will continue to be in the spotlight this week as members of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) gather in the city for a national conference. According to Dale Gieringer, director of California NORML, San Francisco's dispensary moratorium is just part of a process toward regulation and taxation of recreational cannabis sales to adults, which Oakland voters supported in an initiative last year. "There is widespread recognition in the Bay Area that this is the way to go for the economy, the government and the community, and we can deal with neighborhood complaints as they arise," said Gieringer. Note: San Francisco's plan to regulate the explosion of medical marijuana dispensaries could become a model for other cities throughout the nation. Ann Harrison is a freelance reporter working in the Bay Area.Source: AlterNet (US)Author: Ann Harrison, AlterNetPublished: March 31, 2005Copyright: 2005 Independent Media InstituteContact: letters alternet.org Website: http://www.alternet.org/DL: http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/21650/Related Articles & Web Sites:California NORMLhttp://www.canorml.org/Americans For Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.org/ Marijuana Clubs Drawing Ire of Neighborshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20421.shtmlNewsom Declares Moratorium on MMJ Clubshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20387.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #14 posted by FoM on April 01, 2005 at 22:16:40 PT Hope Glad you liked it. I didn't have all the details but I thought it was a cool story. I like Bob Dylan too. I don't have any of his music but one of these days I'll get some. I'm still collecting Neil's music. I don't know how Dylan and Neil remember all the songs they have written. We're lucky to still have them performing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Hope on April 01, 2005 at 21:46:03 PT That's a great story, FoM. Thank you for sharing it. I can imagine how "traumatic" that must have been. Getting hugged by Bob Dylan...I would be like a school girl...so I can imagine what it must have been like for her. Cool. She'll be walking on air for some time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on April 01, 2005 at 20:29:56 PT Hope Thank you. I really love Neil Young's music. His music talks to me. What I'm listening to now on Rust Radio is beautiful. I really admire Neil and Pegi Young. They are quite a unique couple. A little story. A lady from the Rust List was at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March where Neil inducted the Pretenders and he and the group sang the song I'm going Back To Ohio. I think that's the name of the song. This lady just happened to get a seat right next to Neil and Pegi's table. She couldn't believe it. Later she went to the restroom and Pegi was there and they started talking. She couldn't believe she was talking to Pegi. When she was going back to her seat her escort popped out and said hello Neil and he said hello and then he said I have someone that wants to talk to you and he put her right in front of Neil and he walked away. She stared at him and he looked at her like well? She learned up to his ear and whispered in his ear can I give you a hug? He grinned and said yes. When she stopped hugging him and he had returned the hug she just stood there as he walked away. She was totally dumbfounded. She felt a hand on her shoulder and it was Neil. He said are you OK? She said yes and that was it. I didn't say it as well as she did but I think you get the message. What an experience. She couldn't believe it. That was the night that his health took a turn for the worse. I say enjoy life. It is precious and moments missed can't be replaced. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Hope on April 01, 2005 at 20:10:40 PT FoM and ekim FoM, I hope Neil recovers quickly and thoroughly. I know it makes you sad. It does me, too. We are all so fragile and so remarkably tough at the same time.Ekim...it sure is good not to feel alone in our beliefs. We are increasing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on April 01, 2005 at 20:08:10 PT For Entertainment Purposes Only Rust Radio is back on for the weekend. For those who enjoy Neil Young's music here's the link. Enjoy!http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/rust/message/122530 [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on April 01, 2005 at 19:50:17 PT ekim You're welcome. There sure is a lot going on right now in the world. Sometimes it seems we lose and then we win and then we lose and then we win again. I hope we can keep winning. It seems so foolish that we are still fighting this fight over Cannabis after all these years. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by ekim on April 01, 2005 at 19:24:06 PT 'wiser bud' go Elvy goooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Fom thanks for this site. i have learned so much that i myself could never have thought of. so many working for change.has helped me get up and attempt to do somethingif mighty like Neil and former Leos are willing to risk all then how can i remain silent.seeing the news like CU voting and the 34th Hashbash gives me hope for truth and education winning the battle to save a most useful plant for the future needs of all. http://www.leap.cc/events [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on April 01, 2005 at 17:43:30 PT mayan I just hope he is ok and wanting to see one more tour is selfish of me. I said it after seeing Greendale that he could retire and he would have done more then enough in his life making people happy. Long May He Run! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by mayan on April 01, 2005 at 17:25:15 PT FoM This is the first I've heard of Neil's aneurysm. I'm glad he's alright!I wouldn't say he's done touring. We both know that "rust never sleeps"!Long may he run. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on April 01, 2005 at 16:14:19 PT When It Rains It Pours It seems like so much news has been bad and I was sad when I read that my favorite musician was so seriously ill. I'm glad we were able to hear him live even though it was only twice. His touring days are probably over but hopefully he will recover fully.Neil Young Cancels Junos after Brain Aneurysm:http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/mini/CTVNews/1112398423581_21/?s_name=junos2005&no_ads=box [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 01, 2005 at 09:05:54 PT Oh My I'm Sad I didn't cry when Mrs. Schiavo died but I'm a little teary eyes because of the Pope. The catholic church taught me moral values and taught me to not believe everything but to question and I thank the church for that today. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on April 01, 2005 at 09:00:25 PT Max Flowers There has been so much news about life and death and government intervention that not hearing is a good thing I believe. I can't believe that anyone anywhere hasn't been deep in thought about Mrs. Schiavo and now the Pope. God Bless him. He has been the best Pope ever. I think he must have passed away or is very close to death. Maybe the courts will show mercy on Angel. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Max Flowers on April 01, 2005 at 08:39:36 PT FoM What do you think it means that the Supremes did not release the Raich v. Ashcroft ruling this week? Does it mean that they are taking longer to deliberate, do you think? This is torture! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Truth on April 01, 2005 at 08:13:30 PT Elvy Musikka says: "To arrest an adult for choosing the 'wiser bud' is the epitome of hypocrisy," she said. "To arrest a patient for using the Creator's work is blasphemy."http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/04/01/BAGLHC1Q051.DTL [ Post Comment ] Post Comment