Pubdate: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 Source: Record, The (Stockton, CA) Copyright: 2010 The Record Contact: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=A_OPINION05 Website: http://www.recordnet.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/428 Authors: David Sidersalso, and Christian Burkin, Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/Topic/Dispensaries STOCKTON MOVES AHEAD ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA POLICY Ordinance Likely to Limit Dispensaries, Regulate Locations STOCKTON - A policy that would allow dispensaries to sell medical marijuana moved closer to adoption Tuesday, members of the City Council telling staff to draft an ordinance regulating its sale. "We'd like to see this move quickly through the process," Mayor Ann Johnston said, and an audience consisting mostly of marijuana advocates applauded. The direction to staff came at the conclusion of a rare joint meeting of the council and Planning Commission at City Hall. About 75 people attended. A draft ordinance is almost certain to include provisions regulating the number of dispensaries - perhaps to three - their proximity to schools, parks, homes and other places, and security and other measures. It is also likely to include special fees. Deputy Police Chief Mark Helms told the council that dispensaries and customers are targets for criminals, and he said, "We ask that you consider the excess burden these facilities will have on police services." California law for more than a decade has protected patients and caregivers from prosecution, and marijuana advocates frustrated by a federal prohibition were emboldened last year when the Obama administration instructed federal prosecutors to avoid marijuana prosecution when dispensaries comply with state law. The subject was forced on the Stockton council in November, when Pathways Family Health Cooperative Counseling, a dispensary, opened on East Acacia Street. Steven Cort told the council he is upset about Pathways' proximity to a day care facility in the Eden Square Building, which he owns. "If we weren't next door with a day care center with over 100 children, this wouldn't be an issue," he said. "This whole thing should have been closed down immediately." Pathways' Lynn Smith told the council his is a nonprofit organization and has about 1,700 members. He said, "We're not dealing drugs to children," and he invited council members to visit the facility. Pathways had been issued a business license to operate a "natural food and supplement store," but it also sells marijuana. The city ordered Pathways to close, and the cooperative appealed. The appeal is to be heard Feb. 23. Another entity has proposed to sell marijuana at a Wilson Way shopping complex. The council last considered medical marijuana in 2005 and largely abandoned the subject. It is unclear when the Planning Commission - and ultimately, the City Council - will consider a draft ordinance. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom