Pubdate: Wed, 29 Aug 2007
Source: Orange County Register, The (CA)
Copyright: 2007 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321
Author: Doug Irving
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

CITY MAY BAN MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

City Council Could Vote As Early As Next Month On Outright Ban On 
Storefront Dispensaries

SANTA ANA City officials are moving toward a permanent ban on 
medical-marijuana dispensaries, following the lead of several other 
Orange County cities.

The city council could vote as early as next month on an outright ban 
on storefront dispensaries and other suppliers of medical marijuana. 
The proposed law would not apply to hospitals, hospices or other 
state-licensed care centers.

State law allows for the use of marijuana for medical purposes, but 
federal law prohibits any use of marijuana. In Santa Ana, city 
planners and attorneys say they're not willing to sign off on 
businesses that break federal law, even if state law says it's ok.

The city has had a temporary ban on marijuana dispensaries in place 
for nearly two years. The proposal now headed toward a council vote 
would make that ban permanent.

Other Orange County cities, including Anaheim and Costa Mesa, have 
already banned medical-marijuana dispensaries, according to a report 
given to Santa Ana's public safety committee late Tuesday. At least 
thirty other California cities have also banned dispensaries, and 70 
more have enacted temporary moratoriums.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom