Pubdate: Thu, 17 Sep 2009
Source: Whittier Daily News (CA)
Copyright: 2009 Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Contact: http://www.whittierdailynews.com/writealetter
Website: http://www.whittierdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/497
Author: Mike Sprague
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Dispensaries
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

WHITTIER COUNCILMAN CALLS UP FOR REVIEW PROPOSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

WHITTIER - Councilman Joe Vinatieri has called for the City Council 
to review the Planning Commission's approval of a medical marijuana dispensary.

The dispensary would be run by a Pico Rivera-based nonprofit group 
called Seventh and Hope at 8116 Byron Road, Suite D. The clinic's bid 
for a business permit passed out of the Planning Commission last 
month and now must go to the council for approval.

It would have been approved without a hearing if one had not been 
requested by a council member.

It is scheduled to go before the City Council Oct. 10.

Vinatieri said he asked for a public hearing because he doesn't 
believe marijuana use is legal.

"I do not believe they can be operated in Whittier under the terms of 
their conditional use permit," he said.

One of the terms says they must follow all state and federal laws, he said.

And marijuana is illegal under federal law, he said.

Robert Ortiz, one of the founders of the group, said he's not 
surprised by Vinatieri's decision.

"We think it's a good idea that they review us," Ortiz said.

"It will give us a chance to to explain the details and get 
everything out in the open," he said. "It's a good chance for the 
public to come and show support for us."

In California, voters in 1996 approved Proposition 215 allowing 
marijuana to be used for medical purposes.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder earlier this year said the federal 
government will no longer prosecute the dispensaries as long as they 
follow state law.

In Whittier, the council by a 3-2 vote recently rejected an ordinance 
that would have banned medical marijuana dispensaries.

Vinatieri was one of two votes in favor of the ban.

When the Planning Commission approved the dispensary, it imposed 40 
conditions, including one limiting the amount of marijuana per 
customer to 12 ounces per month.

The conditional use permit also limits time of operation, requires a 
licensed uniformed security guard and the maintenances of a a video 
surveillance system.

The permit also requires background checks for two full-time 
managers, two full-time security guards, two part-time security 
guards and others.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom