Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Receive Waiver; Red Tape Blamed

[Herb Fellow]

SAN FRANCISCO - Although The City’s medical marijuana dispensaries were initially told to obtain permits nearly two years ago, the Board of Supervisors voted to grant another extension Tuesday. City legislators adopted rules governing the marijuana dispensaries in November 2005 in response to resident complaints that there were too many pot sellers, and that the businesses were often clustered together in neighborhoods, in some cases near schools, attracting drug dealing and crime.

The law required clubs to obtain city permits by June 2006 or be forced to close down. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to extend the permit deadline to Jan. 21, the second extension granted by the legislators. "I find it more than ironic that this industry more than any other industry continues to be granted waiver, after waiver, after waiver,” said Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, who voted against the extension.

Supervisor Chris Daly, who introduced the bill, said the dispensaries are working to comply with the law but city departments had been slow in processing the permits. Permits require approvals from the Planning, the Public Health, and Building and Inspection departments, and the Mayor’s Office on Disability.

City Planner Tara Sullivan-Lenane told the board on Tuesday that permit has been granted to date, she said, while 29 others are working their way through the other city departments.

Source: The Examiner
Copyright: 2008, The Examiner
Contact: Joshua Sabatini, The Examiner
Website: Medical marijuana dispensaries receive waiver; red tape blamed - Examiner.com