Lawndale Just Says No To Marijuana ... For Now

[XLE420]

The Lawndale City Council imposed a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries this week, temporarily squelching a South Bay couple's plan to set up shop in town while at least two similar businesses already operate in the city.

Becoming the second South Bay city to ban medical marijuana dispensaries, Lawndale council members unanimously agreed Monday that more time is needed to study the specifics of such establishments.
Billy's Deli & Cafe

Like Hermosa Beach, which imposed a moratorium in April, Lawndale has 45 days to examine the dispensaries and find its place in the chasm between state and federal laws regulating medical marijuana dispensaries.

"I think there's still some understanding the city has to make with the Sheriff's Department," Councilman Jim Ramsey said. "Forty-five days isn't going to hurt either way."

In the meantime, San Pedro residents Bob and Trudy Burrill must put their plans to open a dispensary in Lawndale on hold.

Seeing the city as a safe and central location for South Bay medicinal marijuana patients, the couple had staked out a location, signed a lease and applied for a business license at City Hall, Mrs. Burrill said.

With no mention of marijuana dispensaries in Lawndale's Municipal Code, the city put the permit on hold until leaders could decide where -- or if -- they should allow such facilities.

But it appears at least two marijuana clubs or collectives already operate in the city, just blocks from Lawndale City Hall, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws' online roster of facilities.

A man who answered the telephone at one facility listed by the Web site confirmed the business was a collective. He directed a reporter's questions to his manager, who did not return a telephone message.

Lawndale Director of Community Development Otis Ginoza, the City Hall staff member who has handled the moratorium, did not know of any businesses in town licensed to dispense medical marijuana.

"As far as I know, there hasn't been a business license issued for medical marijuana," he said, adding that he had heard rumors of dispensaries in the small city.

The city could find no record of business licenses issued to tenants of the respective addresses held by the two dispensaries listed on the roster, said Finance Director Ken Louie.

Operating without a business license is a matter handled by the city's code enforcement officers, Louie said.

Sheriff's deputies could step in if the businesses refused to comply with the city's code or if illegal activity were taking place at the facilities, said Lt. Jim Bitetto of the Sheriff's Department narcotics division.

After the moratorium's 45 day-period lapses, the Lawndale City Council could choose to extend the ban for another 10½ months and then another year if deemed necessary.

Mrs. Burrill hoped an extension wouldn't be necessary.

"This is extremely important for local patients," she said. "We just want to work with the city of Lawndale. ... We don't want them to do the 10 months (extension). We don't want patients to wait. They've been waiting for something to come and be legitimate."

The Board of Supervisors in March approved an ordinance allowing dispensaries in commercial and industrial zones of Lennox, Del Aire and other unincorporated areas.

Dispensaries there must be at least 1,000 feet away from schools, parks, churches and day-care centers. Security guards must also be on site and shops must publicly post their owners' contact phone numbers, among other requirements.

Like Lawndale, other South Bay cities are grappling with the issue of medical marijuana dispensaries within their own jurisdictions.

Redondo Beach City Attorney Mike Webb told the Daily Breeze in April that he was researching the issue and considering the possibility of a moratorium.

Manhattan Beach City Attorney Robert Wadden told the Breeze that the high real estate prices of the beach enclave would likely discourage such facilities from sprouting up in town.


Newshawk: SX420 - 420 Magazine
Source: Daily Breeze
Author: Andrea Sudano
Copyright: 2006 Copley Press, Inc.
Contact: letters@dailybreeze.com
Website: The Daily Breeze - www.dailybreeze.com