Pubdate: Wed, 15 Jun 2005
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2005 The Sacramento Bee
Contact:  http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Note: Does not publish letters from outside its circulation area.
Author: Jennifer K. Morita
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

ROSEVILLE MAY BAN POT SHOPS

High Court's Ruling Is Spurring Several Cities To Revisit The Issue.

Invoking last week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling, a Roseville councilman says 
city officials are poised to become the first in the region to rescind a 
law allowing local medical marijuana dispensaries. The City Council will 
vote tonight whether to repeal a year-old ordinance regulating where and 
how so-called pot shops can operate in town.

"Now it's been determined once and for all that federal law trumps state 
law," Roseville Councilman F.C. "Rocky" Rockholm said.

"I'm not opposed to people getting relief from pain. If (marijuana) is 
really that beneficial, then I think prescriptions need to be issued and 
pharmacies should be dispensing it."

Bolstered by the Supreme Court's decision that federal authorities can 
prosecute medical marijuana users in the 10 states - California voters 
approved Proposition 215 in 1996 - where medical marijuana use is legal, 
other Sacramento area officials say they're also taking a second look at 
their policies. "In light of the new ruling, I think it's worth 
discussing," Elk Grove City Councilman James Cooper said.

Cooper said he plans to ask his colleagues to reconsider the issue at their 
next meeting.

Even Citrus Heights Mayor Bret Daniels, a staunch supporter of medical 
marijuana use, said the court's decision will likely force another look at 
the city's ordinance, which allows dispensaries to operate with some 
restrictions.

"The difficult thing will be determining how an applicant can work within 
the law, which is basically, virtually impossible at this point," Daniels said.

"I watched one parent die of cancer and a second parent being treated," 
Daniels said.

"I would've done anything in my power to comfort them. We have so many more 
drugs that are so much more dangerous, I find it incredible that we can't 
get past the stigma and recognize that many people benefit from medicinal 
marijuana."

Roseville, Elk Grove and Citrus Heights are among the many California 
cities that regulate dispensaries.

Rocklin and Lincoln simply banned them altogether, while Sacramento County, 
Rancho Cordova and Galt passed moratoriums on new dispensaries, giving 
officials time to craft guidelines.

Medical marijuana advocates, however, say that city officials are using the 
court's ruling as an easy excuse to ban dispensaries.

"Unfortunately, that's the wrong thing to do," said Ryan Landers, 
California director of the American Alliance for Medical Cannibus.

Landers said he expects other California cities will soon follow Roseville, 
adding that many officials were waiting for the Supreme Court decision.

Landers, who uses marijuana to help him eat, control nausea and take 
medicines for full blown AIDS, said banning dispensaries won't keep 
patients from finding a source for marijuana.

"It's been proven that, legal or not, patients are going to access their 
medication, whether they have to drive 200 miles or go to street dealers to 
do it."

Rancho Cordova Councilman David Sander was among those closely watching the 
court case.

In September, the Rancho Cordova City Council passed a moratorium on 
dispensaries that is in effect until July 30.

"We knew this was going on and so the rest of the City Council wanted to 
sit back to wait and see what happened," Sander said.

"I was ready to vote on an outright ban and with the resolution of this 
case, I believe that's the direction we'll probably be going."

Galt was also developing guidelines when the ruling was announced.

Now, Police Chief Doug Matthews said the matter will probably be dropped.

Daniels, and other advocates, say the only option now is for a change at 
the federal level.

Congress is set to vote today on a spending bill amendment that would 
prohibit the use of federal money to pursue medical marijuana cases in 
states where it is legal.

Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville, will oppose the amendment, according to 
his press secretary, Laura Blackann.

"Congressman Doolittle supports the existing federal, legal process for 
determining the safety, and effectiveness of drugs and opposes efforts to 
circumvent this process by legalizing marijuana for medical use without 
valid, clinical evidence and the approval of the (Food and Drug 
Administration)," Blackann said.
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