cannabisnews.com: Hayward Approves Three Dispensaries





Hayward Approves Three Dispensaries
Posted by CN Staff on December 09, 2003 at 20:01:33 PT
By Michelle Meyers, Staff Writer
Source: Argus Online
Hayward -- The Hayward City Council has sanctioned three downtown medical marijuana dispensaries, leaving a fourth dispensary -- a newcomer to the debate -- out of the grandfathering agreement. The council's decision pretty much ends the 10-month discussion on the extent to which Hayward should allow the dispensary operations, amid conflicting state and federal laws and efforts to revive downtown.
But the issue likely will remain a buzz in neighboring areas of unincorporated Alameda County, where the fourth Hayward dispensary -- now located through double doors of a Main Street coffee shop -- might relocate. "We were asked to monitor the situation," said Bob Swanson, an aide to Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley. "We've haven't had to deal with the issue yet, but I don't think it's going to be a big problem." Last summer, an ad hoc committee of city officials, community members and medical marijuana advocates struck an informal deal that would have allowed two Foothill Boulevard dispensaries -- The Hempery and Local Patients Cooperative -- to exist for three years under certain conditions. A third dispensary, Helping Hands Patients' Center (HHPC), also was operating at the time on B Street, but its owner had planned to move outside city limits. All of the dispensaries, including the fourth that has been operating since last spring in Main Street Roasting Company, are in violation of Hayward's zoning law. In the name of compassion for medical marijuana patients, the council last week expressed unanimous support for the ad hoc committee's compromise. Things became more complicated, however, when ad hoc committee member Jane Weirick took over the struggling HHPC by relocating it in her dress shop, also on Foothill Boulevard. Weirick asked the council to grandfather in her facility, Hayward Patients' Resource Center, because, she said, it serves the same patient group as HHPC, just at a new location. Based on the facilities' reputations and countless testimonials as to Weirick's commitment to patients, the council last month surprisingly decided to grandfather in Weirick's facility and the Local Patients Cooperative, but not The Hempery's dispensary, called Hayward Patient Group. Soon after, concerned about fairness issues, the council decided to revisit its decision. Hempery owner Cheryl Adams told Mayor Roberta Cooper that she hadn't been notified about related meetings. The council's 6-0 vote last week, with Councilman Bill Ward abstaining, essentially was an endorsement of a compromise City Manager Jesus Armas suggested after visiting a few of the clubs. The Hempery and Local Patients Cooperative will be able to stay open for three years. Weirick's HPRC will be able to stay open for just one year. If one of the other dispensaries closes within a year, the HPRC will be able to stay open for three years. Any others dispensaries "would need to cease operation," Armas said. The decision was good news for the Hempery, according to employees, who said they were relieved to be able to stay open. Local Patients Cooperative owner Shon Squier said he thinks the council was fair "and appreciates the compassion the city has shown patients." He said he will strictly honor a condition limiting the amount of product he can have on site, but added that it's going to be a challenge. He expects business to grow as recent state law SB420 -- the medical marijuana photo ID registry bill -- goes into effect, along with the council's decision. "People are getting more confident that the feds aren't going to bust them," he said. Source: Argus, The (CA)Author: Michelle Meyers, Staff WriterPublished: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 Copyright: 2003 ANG NewspapersContact: arguslet angnewspapers.comWebsite: http://www.theargusonline.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Americans For Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.org/Medical Marijuana Clubs Spur Regulationshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17872.shtmlCouncil To Look Again at Hempery's Statushttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17870.shtmlCouncil Might Take Lid Off Pot Rulinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17850.shtml
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