Pubdate: Sat, 21 Dec 2013
Source: Hi-Desert Star (Yucca Valley, CA)
Copyright: 2013 Hi Desert Star
Contact:  http://www.hidesertstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3921
Author: Courtney Vaughn

TOWN COUNCIL URGED TO RECONSIDER POT BAN

YUCCA VALLEY - Medical marijuana advocates pleaded with the Town 
Council Tuesday, Dec. 17, to reopen the Morongo Basin's only medical 
marijuana dispensary. California Alternative Medicinal Solutions was 
the last one standing earlier this month, until a sunset clause 
kicked in and the dispensary had to close its storefront.

The dispensary was permitted in 2008. The Yucca Valley Town Council 
voted in 2010 to prohibit dispensaries in town, but allowed CAMS to 
wind down its operations over a few years.

CAMS was given until December of this year to shut down its operations.

"I've been closed now for about 10 days," CAMS Director Brian 
Nicholson said. "I see patients everywhere. I have everyone telling 
me they're in pain. They're hurting. I really need you to revisit 
this. I operated for three years without any issues."

CAMS was first opened in the Monterey Business Center but was 
pressured to relocate after a children's dance studio opened in the 
business center. It gad operated out of a quiet storefront on Wamego 
Trail since 2010. The council voted 3-2 last month, with Councilmen 
Bob Leone and Robert Lombardo opposed, to end the permit for the dispensary.

San Bernardino County prohibits dispensaries in unincorporated areas. 
County codes also prevent patients from growing marijuana outside.

Some residents who spoke Tuesday said the council made its decision 
without considering the needs of local patients.

Yucca Valley resident Bonnie Brady asked the council to reconsider 
some of the "fear tactics" that she said led to its decision last 
month not to extend the permit for CAMS.

"I see all of this as being basically political," Brady said. "The 
pendulum swings from one way to another. The pendulum, at this time, 
is swinging toward making medical marijuana more affordable and 
easily available to those who need it."

Lanny Swerdlow, founder of the Marijuana Anti-Prohibition Project, 
suggested Yucca Valley consider adopting an ordinance to allow a 
limited number of dispensaries the way Palm Springs did, and impose a 
tax on medical marijuana.

Others shared their personal medical struggles and testified about 
the benefits of pain relief they found through marijuana.

Nicholson said by phone Friday that the average age of his patients 
at CAMS was around 60 years old.

"These people are on these pain medications for the rest of their 
life, so that's why they turn to alternative medicine," Nicholson 
said. "We were great for three years. There was never an issue."

The topic wasn't on Tuesday's agenda, so the council couldn't discuss 
it. Advocates like Nicholson say they hope the council will consider 
putting the item back on an agenda for consideration of a new ordinance.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom