Napa Medical Marijuana News

Marijuana clinics not OK -- for now -- in Napa

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

By KEVIN COURTNEY
Register Staff Writer

11:15 a.m. - The Napa City Council reaffirmed its intent Tuesday night
to proceed cautiously in drafting an ordinance that would allow medical
marijuana clinics. Despite public pleas to proceed quickly, council
members said they would not be rushed to craft regulations in less than
the nine months required by staff.

The council unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits cannabis
clinics until a tight set of rules are in place. Only then would the
city process applications.

"Before I stick my head in the mouth of the lion, I just want to
make sure we've got it right," Councilman Jim Krider said.
"Nine months to get it right is to me worth it," Councilman Mark
van Gorder said.

Police Chief Rich Melton reported two weeks ago that pot clinics can be
crime magnets. Napa intends to write an ordinance that borrows rules
from other cities where medical marijuana is well managed.

Gemy D'Adamo and Lowell Lewis, founders of the Napa County Cannabis
Co-Op, said they hoped to be licensed by the city. In the meantime, Napa
should allow out-of-county deliveries to people who are sick at home,
they said.

It could take until next summer before an ordinance takes effect that
meets community concerns, City Manager Mike Parness said.

A medical marijuana clinic, Going Green, is already operating in the 600
block of Soscol Avenue, but without a city business license and without
proper zoning, city officials said.

On Friday, the city sent a letter to Kimberly Pelham, Going Green's
operator, saying that she was operating illegally.

Going Green could be subject to code enforcement or legal action if it
does not close, Tambri Heyden, the city's community development
director, said.

Pelham did not return Register calls seeking comment.

http://www.napavall eyregister. com/articles/ 2009/09/02/ news/local/ doc4a9e\
b6428b2de300299249. txt