Pubdate: Wed, 15 Mar 2006
Source: Tri-Valley Herald  (Pleasanton, CA)
Copyright: 2006sANG Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/742
Author: Karen Holzmeister, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA MAP SWIFTLY REDRAWN

OAKLAND -- For nearly two years, Alameda County  supervisors have
debated, questioned, praised,  criticized and agonized over medical
marijuana clinics.

Not on Tuesday.

Instead, they took only five minutes to redraw the map  identifying
where three dispensaries can operate in  unincorporated areas.

No muss, no fuss, no public testimony, no supervisors'  comments, and
just a brief staff report.

Then, Nate Miley, one of two supervisors whose  districts include
cannabis clubs, made the motion to  stretch the east Ashland-Castro
Valley area slightly  south into Cherryland.

What's the practical effect of the change?

- -The Garden of Eden dispensary on Foothill Boulevard in  south
Cherryland was added to east Ashland-Castro  Valley, known as Area
Three.

The Garden of Eden is practically guaranteed the permit  for this
area. Earlier this month, supervisors denied A  Natural Source on
Foothill Boulevard in Ashland a  chance to compete for a permit. It's
closing by the end  of the month.

- -The Garden of Eden's move to Area Three leaves the  Alameda County
Resource Center and Compassionate  Caregivers of Alameda County to
compete for the  operating permit in Area Two, northwest Ashland and
the  rest of south Cherryland.

- -We Are Hemp on Lewelling Boulevard in San Lorenzo  already has the
permit for Area One, San Lorenzo and  north-central Cherryland.

The revised  boundaries for areas two and three won't be effective for
more than a month, after supervisors vote to formally adopt the changes.

The decision inches the county closer to regulating  these businesses,
some of which have been lightning  rods for criminal activity and loitering.

About three years ago, after Oakland imposed tighter  regulations on
its outlets, several clubs relocated to  Ashland and Cherryland.

By 2004, three of seven clubs were clustered near each  other on East
14th Street in Ashland. In October 2004,  supervisors banned
additional clinics and began  preparing new regulations to govern
existing ones.

Supervisors last year limited the number of clinics to  three, and set
up a permit application process.  Customers of the various outlets
protested the  reduction in locations; in addition to local residents,
  many people testified that they traveled to Alameda  County cannabis
clubs from throughout the Bay Area.

Thus far, one club closed voluntarily, another closed  after having
its permit application denied, and a  Natural Source is close to
shutting its doors.
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MAP posted-by: Derek