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