Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jan 2009
Source: Sierra Sun (Truckee, CA)
Copyright: 2009 Sierra Sun
Contact:  http://www.sierrasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2294
Author: Adam Jensen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

NEW TAHOE COLLECTIVE SAYS IT'S 'HERE TO STAY'

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE -- Although federal agents shut down a purported 
medical marijuana collective in South Lake Tahoe last week, a second 
collective opened its doors this month, and operators said they plan 
to dispense marijuana to qualified California residents.

Tahoe Wellness Collective opened in the Bijou Shopping Center on Jan. 
8 and plans to offer marijuana to adults with state-issued medical 
marijuana cards or a doctor's recommendation as soon as this week.

Opening of the collective has been met with praise by South Shore 
residents, said Tahoe Wellness Collective spokesman Cody Bass.

We've had a ton of support locally," Bass said.

About 45 people have signed up for the collective since it opened, Bass said.

The collective also offers counseling and a wide variety of classes 
- -- including yoga, fitness training and parenting -- to members as 
part of a "natural perspective of wellness," according to a flier 
from the collective.

Marijuana use will not be allowed at the 3,500-square-foot space that 
houses the collective, but the collective will offer several types of 
marijuana and a full line of edible marijuana products to patients, Bass said.

The city denied the collective a business license because of city 
code section 32-2, which requires all activities to be in line with 
local, state and federal laws, Bass said. The use of marijuana -- 
including use for medical purposes -- is illegal under federal law.

Collectives are not considered businesses, according to guidelines 
issued by California Attorney General Edmund Brown in August, and 
Bass said the denial of a business license shouldn't prevent the 
collective's operation.

Bass also said he doesn't expect city officials to enforce code 
section 32-2, and said he believes the Obama administration will end 
to federal raids on state-sanctioned medical marijuana dispensaries.

Operators of the collective are prepared to legally challenge any 
enforcement measures should they arise, Bass said.

We're not going anywhere," Bass said. "We're here to stay."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom