Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jan 2005
Source: Manteca Bulletin (CA)
Website: http://www.mantecabulletin.com/
Address: Manteca Bulletin, 531 E. Yosemite Ave., Manteca, CA 95336
Fax: 209-249-3559
Copyright: 2005 Manteca Bulletin
Author: Dennis Wyatt, Managing Editor of the Manteca Bulletin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

MANTECA SAYS NO -- FOR NOW

It could be illegal 45 days to open a medical marijuana dispensary in 
Manteca for at least 45 days.

The City Council is considering the adoption Tuesday of an urgency interim 
zoning ordinance outlawing operations that dispense medical marijuana in 
Manteca.

If Manteca doesn't adopt the urgency measure during the 7 p.m. meeting at 
the Civic Center, there would be nothing stopping anyone from opening a 
medical marijuana operation next to a church, school or a park.

Police Chief Charlie Halford believes there is a serious risk to public 
safety and health if the prohibition isn't adopted and implemented immediately.

Although there is no pending request for a business license to dispense 
marijuana for certified medical use, Halford in a memo to the council noted 
if the urgency measure isn't imposed immediately there would be nothing 
stopping such a business from operating where it likes in Manteca.

The council will be asked whether they prefer regulating medical pot 
dispensing through the zoning ordinance and conditional use permit process 
or of if they want to prohibit them entirely.

The 45-day ban can be extended up to 10 months by the City Council if more 
than 45 days are needed to draft an ordinance implementing council directives. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth