Pubdate: Mon, 11 Apr 2016
Source: Orange County Register, The (CA)
Copyright: 2016 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321

FURTHER ALONG PATH OF LEGAL POT

The Santa Ana City Council took some sizable steps forward last week 
as the council heard first readings of a number of proposed changes 
to its medical marijuana legalization effort that will hopefully 
speed up the process and bring much needed security to dispensaries.

"City Council members ... directed staff to modify deadlines for 
submitting regulatory safety permits to open pot shops, removed the 
requirement that security guards be unarmed and prohibited 
individuals with drug convictions from obtaining permits," the 
Register reported.

As we previously noted, Santa Ana has been proactive in creating a 
framework for selling medical marijuana, and likely for recreational 
sales should one of a dozen proposed ballot initiatives legalizing 
marijuana outright win on the November ballot. Opening legal 
dispensaries in the city has taken far too long.

"Since the 20 lottery winners were drawn in February 2015, 10 have 
been granted safety permits and are operating, six have applied for 
permits and are in the process, two have contacted the city with 
interest in applying, and two have not contacted the city," the 
Register reported, citing a staff report.

The deadlines for permits hopefully will add some impetus behind 
getting those final legal dispensaries open, and bringing in revenue 
that helps the city close the few remaining illegal operators. It 
also solves a lingering question of the lottery process: What happens 
if a winner, for one reason or another, can't or won't open? In such 
cases, those who did not win the city's permit lottery will get a 
chance at opening a legal business.

Also, as we've long said, allowing armed guards is a must. Medical 
marijuana dispensaries are a legally permissible business, and they, 
much like any other business with valuable, highly coveted inventory, 
like dealers in precious metals and coins, jewelry stores and banks, 
the safety of clientele and employees should be paramount, so its 
trained security guards should be armed.

We're pleased to see the Santa Ana council continue to fine-tune the 
legalization process in a way agreeable to the city's residents. 
Hopefully, they prove a model.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom