San Diego County Supervisors Hearing On Dispensary Regulations & Moratorium 7/5

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The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is hearing ordinances & actions for dispensary regulations & a moratorium on Wednesday, August
5th at 9 a. m. at their usual committee meeting place on Pacific Highway. In order to pass the moratorium, the action must receive 4 votes; So to prevent it, 2 people must vote against it.

In June, the Board implemented the State's most expensive id card system, & passed an action to draft a moratorium ordinance. During the meeting, Supervisor Ron Roberts suggested & voted against the action citing that many people of the public come out to support medical marijuana & creating a ban that would "prohibit illegal dispensaries" would only create further confusion & could
(would) stifle legitimate patients & providers. Supervisor Greg Cox agreed, but voted in favor of the ordinance to see how it turns out.

Come down Wednesday morning at 9 am to the Board of Supervisors chambers & remind Supervisor Roberts & Cox of what they said back in June, & urge Supervisors Horn, Slater-Price, & Jacobs to respect patient's rights & State's law &, for the sake of public health, safety, & welfare the communities public welfare, DO NOT ENACT A MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES.


From Board of Supervisors Planning & Land Use Agenda

6. SUBJECT: AN URGENCY ORDINANCE ENACTING A MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES
(DISTRICTS: ALL)

OVERVIEW: On June 23, 2009 (20), the Board of Supervisors directed the Chief Administrative Officer to amend the Zoning Ordinance to prohibit illegal marijuana dispensaries from operating within the unincorporated area of the county. In response, staff is developing an ordinance which will prohibit marijuana dispensaries which do not qualify under provisions of State law permitting use of marijuana for medical purposes. This letter proposes development of regulations of those medical marijuana dispensaries not covered by the Board's June 23, 2009 referral.

This letter also proposes that the Board adopt an interim urgency moratorium on the establishment of marijuana dispensaries while the new regulations are developed. Existing County codes, including the Zoning Ordinance, do not specifically address or regulate the establishment, location or operation of marijuana dispensaries. The establishment of marijuana dispensaries before appropriate procedures and regulation are enacted has the potential to cause adverse impacts to surrounding development and risks to public heath, safety and welfare of the County's residents and the general public. The interim urgency ordinance would allow County staff the time needed to study how marijuana dispensaries should be permitted and determine the appropriate regulations for such uses before they are presented to your Board for consideration.

FISCAL IMPACT: N/A

BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT: N/A

RECOMMENDATION:

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER- Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to develop appropriate zoning and licensing regulations governing marijuana dispensaries which qualify under provisions of State law permitting use of marijuana for medical purposes, to assure that they fully comply with the requirements and intent of State law and minimize impacts to communities.

Adopt the attached Form of Ordinance (Attachment A):

AN ORDINANCE ENACTING A MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES, AND DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF, TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY (4 VOTES)