Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Walnut Creek Passes Medical Marijuana Moratorium


Walnut Creek passes emergency moratorium on medical medical marijuana
dispensaries

By Elisabeth Nardi
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 08/18/2009 11:17:53 AM PDT

The Walnut Creek City Council in an emergency meeting Tuesday morning
passed a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries.

The 45-day ban on pot clubs stems from the city's first request for a
dispensary.

The application to open a dispensary at 1291 Oakland Blvd brought the
realization there are no laws or regulations in Walnut Creek on such an
establishment.

A group called C3 Collective says it is already operating a yoga,
pilates and acupuncture wellness center at the Oakland Boulevard
address. Members of the nonprofit say they counsel patients about
medical marijuana, and that pot is given as donations. City staff said
the business, which opened sometime in the last few weeks, is in
violation because though they have a business license, they do not have
a conditional use permit required for a wellness center. As of Tuesday
morning, C3 Collective is also in violation because of the moratorium on
dispensaries.

Many spoke at the meeting saying how medical marijuana has helped them.
Councilman Bob Simmons voted against the moratorium, saying he has a son
who survived cancer and that as a father he would have done anything to
ease his son's pain. To not allow dispensaries is "inexcusable, " he
said. He, along with other council members, asked that a draft ordinance
be ready by the council's Sept. 15 meeting.

Check back for updates. Reach Elisabeth Nardi at 925-952-2617.

http://www.contraco statimes. com/news/ ci_13151195

Brett adds - A copy of the city report and ordinance (7 pages) is posted
at -
http://walnutcreek. granicus. com/MetaViewer. php?view_ id=2&event_ id=65&met\
a_id=30265

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