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MITZELFELT TO REJECT POT DISPENSARIES

County Extends Moratorium Until June 2010

SAN BERNARDINO - County supervisors Tuesday extended the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries for up to 10 months while county staff evaluates possible permitting options.

No matter the staff recommendation, 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said he will reject all proposed dispensaries in unincorporated areas.

County staff are right now studying the land use implications of dispensaries, but regardless of what land use staff reports back to the Board, Supervisor Mitzelfelt will not support the approval of any dispensaries in the area he's responsible for," said David Zook, chief of staff for Mitzelfelt.

Proponents of the marijuana facilities argue that if regulated properly, dispensaries can serve those suffering from debilitating and life-threatening health problems without negatively impacting surrounding communities.  Fifty-six percent of California voters approved the use of marijuana for medical use in 1996 with Proposition 215.

But Mitzelfelt sides with anti-drug advocates on the issue and believes dispensaries "will encourage illicit drug activity and are therefore dangerous to communities," Zook said.