Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jun 2011 Source: Albany Democrat-Herald (OR) Copyright: 2011 Lee Enterprises Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/HPOp5PfB Website: http://www.democratherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/7 GROUP SEEKS TO BLOCK POT PARLORS The Albany Downtown Association has asked for an "emergency moratorium" on pot-smoking parlors in the city. "Naturally we are interested in keeping our historic downtown vital and healthy," Executive Director Oscar Hult wrote in a letter to Mayor Sharon Konopa on Monday. "Many other cities have had problems with these establishments and have had to delve into crafting regulation after the fact. We are asking that the council be proactive and have staff develop these regulations now." Hult asked for "an emergency moratorium on these kinds of businesses until it is known whether or not they violate state or federal law, and until such time as appropriate regulations can be developed." The mayor mentioned Hult's letter to the city council at a work session Monday afternoon, but councilors voiced no immediate request for an ordinance to be drafted. Before the city can regulate anything, it has to know what it is, City Attorney Jim Delapoer observed. And the law allows no buying or selling of marijuana, medical or otherwise, he noted. Hult said Tuesday that while Oregon "dispensaries" are not allowed to sell pot, people can donate and dispense it to medical-card holders. According to Hult, someone had looked into opening such a place on Second Avenue downtown but then preferred a location on Fescue Street near Home Depot. In April, a couple reportedly opened a "patient resource center" for medical pot users on Ehlen Drive near Oakville Road and Highway 34. It was described as a place where medical marijuana users could bring their smokes and get together in a social atmosphere over snacks and soft drinks. Last week, U.S. Attorney for Oregon Dwight C. Holton and other law enforcement leaders issued a public notice reminding people that the selling of marijuana is against state and federal law. Under Oregon law, medical pot users have to grow their own or get it free from someone growing it for them. On Tuesday, based on a complaint from the public, the Linn County Board of Commissioners asked Planning and Building Director Robert Wheeldon to determine if the patient resource center on Ehlen Drive meets the criteria of Urban Development II zoning. Wheeldon said his office had not been contacted by anyone from the center prior to its opening. His staff is going to determine if the operation meets rural property guidelines. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.