Pubdate: Wed, 15 Dec 2004
Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2004 The Fresno Bee
Contact:  http://www.fresnobee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/161
Author: Marc Benjamin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

COUNTY PLACES LIMITS ON MEDICAL POT SALES

A plan limiting sales of medical marijuana was approved Tuesday by
Fresno County supervisors.

Supervisors unanimously approved the proposal limiting marijuana
dispensaries-- locations where medical marijuana can be sold.

Under the rules, a person cannot sell to more than two medical
marijuana patients, and dispensary locations in unincorporated
communities in Fresno County will be prohibited. No opponents spoke to
the proposal.

Sheriff Richard Pierce said all cities in Fresno County are
considering adopting similar ordinances. "One of the problems with
this law [allowing medical marijuana] is inconsistent enforcement,"
Pierce told the supervisors.

In other communities in California, he said, certain cities may have
stringent laws, while a neighboring community may be more lenient
about medical marijuana sites. Previously, the cities of Fresno and
Clovis adopted ordinances not allowing dispensary locations or sales
by one person to more than two people.

The ordinance is designed to prohibit sites for commercial
distribution of marijuana while safeguarding public health and safety.

Law enforcement agencies have voiced concerns about reports of groups
of patients smoking marijuana near dispensaries in other communities
and congregating and smoking in nearby parks. Other cities have
reported increased numbers of people arriving in their communities to
get a doctor's recommendation and drugs.

Earlier this year, a Clovis couple with medical marijuana
authorizations were victims of trespassing after high school students
saw their plants and climbed into their yard to steal marijuana,
police said. The couple took to sleeping outdoors with weapons, police
said.

The only opposition to surface in three local hearings on the issue
was from a Fresno man who grows medical marijuana for more than two
dozen people. He objected to the limits on people he serves.

The county Planning Commission will review the proposed zoning
ordinance. But the ordinances supported by supervisors will not
prohibit residents with medical authorization from obtaining marijuana.

Under state law, each medical marijuana patient has the right to
possess 8 ounces of dried marijuana, six mature plants or 12 immature
plants.