Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Source: Union, The (Grass Valley, CA)
Copyright: 2011 The Union
Contact: http://apps.theunion.com/utils/forms/lettertoeditor/
Website: http://www.theunion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/957
Author: Kyle Magin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Dispensaries

MARIJUANA DISPENSARY BAN UP FOR PLANNING COMMISSION'S DEBATE

Planning officials later this week could take the first step in 
snuffing out medical pot patients' last hope for a dispensary in Nevada County.

On Thursday, the Nevada County Planning Commission is scheduled to 
vote on a permanent ordinance prohibiting the establishment of 
medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas of the county.

If commissioners vote for the prohibition, it would go to the 
county's Board of Supervisors at its July meeting for final approval.

Supervisors have previously voiced their support for such a measure.

Grass Valley and Nevada City enacted permanent bans in January 2011 
and December 2009, respectively.

The Town of Truckee doesn't have a specific ban, but dispensaries are 
not allowed in the town under its development code, said John 
McLaughlin, Truckee's Community Development Director.

"The approach of banning the lawful distribution of marijuana being 
used for medicinal purposes is really going counter to the intent of 
the people of California when they passed" Proposition 215 allowing 
the use of medical marijuana, said Stephen Munkelt, a Nevada City 
attorney and marijuana legalization proponent.

Currently, dispensaries are banned on a temporary basis under an 
ordinance enacted originally in 2009 and reaffirmed by supervisors in 
July 2010. It expires on Aug. 11 of this year.

If commissioners recommend the ban and supervisors pass it in July, 
it would take effect before the current ban expires, said Tyler 
Barrington, senior planner with the county.

The county's top law enforcers, including Sheriff Keith Royal and 
District Attorney Cliff Newell, previously have strongly supported such a ban.

"The mere presence of marijuana dispensaries encourages illegal 
growers to plant, cultivate, and transport ever more marijuana, in 
order to supply and sell their crops to these storefront operators in 
the thriving medical marijuana dispensary market," wrote Royal in a 
2009 report to supervisors.

Patients still have access to marijuana grown and sold directly from 
growers or through co-ops, staff noted in a report attached to the ordinance.

The planning commission meets at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Eric W. Rood 
Administrative Building on 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City. The public is welcome.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom