Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 2009
Source: Record, The (Stockton, CA)
Copyright: 2009 The Record
Contact:  http://www.recordnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/428
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries

LODI, OTHER CITIES HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO ALLOW POT SHOPS EVENTUALLY

The Lodi City Council last week, as might be expected,  put off 
action on allowing medical marijuana  dispensaries in the city. 
Slowing things down was wise.

This a highly controversial, highly emotional issue. It  needs to be 
thought out carefully.

California is one of 13 states that have legalized the  medical use 
of pot, federal prohibitions  notwithstanding. But the recent 
announcement by  Attorney General Eric Holder that the Justice 
Department would no longer seek to shut down - or,  presumably, raid 
- - such dispensaries has added a new  urgency for cities to figure out 
what to do.

There are perfectly good reasons to allow medical  marijuana stores, 
not the least of which is that  California law allows them. In 1996, 
56 percent of the  state's voters approved Proposition 215, which 
changed  the California pot law. Beyond that, people with  ailments 
ranging from cancer to chronic pain and from  migraine headaches to 
menstrual cramps claim relief  from marijuana when nothing else works.

There also are perfectly good reasons not to allow  medical marijuana 
stores. They can become targets for  crime. They can dispense 
illegally. They can increase  illegal drug transactions. Those 
concerns and others  were presented to the council by police Chief David  Main.

Of course, those same arguments could be made about any  pharmacy. 
Behind every pharmacy counter can be found  highly potent drugs that 
have great street value. No  one would think of closing down a 
pharmacy because of  that.

Perhaps the solution is to have medical marijuana  dispensed by a 
licensed pharmacist from a pharmacy.  It's hard to imagine many 
chain-store pharmacies would  be interested in having their name 
associated with  marijuana, at least not yet. But it would solve at 
least some of the issues.

Lodi, a conservative Valley town, must wrestle with  this just as 
cities have had to wrestle with other  businesses many find 
offensive, such as those featuring  nude dancers or selling pornography.

That we can deal with such businesses indicates we also  can find a 
place for pot shops. It won't be easy. It  won't be fast. But it can be done.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom