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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom