cannabisnews.com: Pot Clubs Stir Up Residents, Backers 





Pot Clubs Stir Up Residents, Backers 
Posted by CN Staff on October 29, 2004 at 11:39:52 PT
By Karen Holzmeister, Staff Writers
Source: Daily Review
San Lorenzo -- Mushrooming numbers of medical marijuana clinics in unincorporated areas will sink already-shaky economic efforts, residents claimed Wednesday, while cannabis advocates told Alameda County supervisors that sick people need safe and clean drop-in centers close to home. About 100 of the 125 people packing a San Lorenzo meeting room Wednesday advocated for or against seven cannabis centers in Ashland and Cherryland.
"We get everything the cities don't want," said San Lorenzo resident Doris Marciel, saying over the last quarter-century that low-income housing, massage parlors and board-and-care homes have been "dumped" in Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo. On the other hand, clinic operators and clients from San Leandro and Hayward to Mountain View advocated on behalf of sick people who need to buy marijuana close to home. Cancer patient Stephanie Rodriquez of San Leandro thanked the Alameda County Resource Center on East 14th Street for providing a "clean, safe" place for her to purchase marijuana. Six clubs, including three in a three-block radius of East 14th Street, opened during the last few months. The rush into unincorporated areas, which have no regulations governing dispensaries, came as other cities in the county started limiting or banning dispensaries. Supervisors on Tuesday banned more marijuana clinics in unincorporated areas for 45 days as they prepare land use and health and safety standards to regulate these businesses. The catch-up legislation didn't impress about half of the two dozen speakers addressing supervisors Alice Lai-Bitker and Nate Miley, who represent most unincorporated communities in the greater Hayward area. Cherryland's Ron Palmeri asked Lai-Bitker and Miley why unincorporated-area residents have been consulted about garage conversions and tree trimming issues, but not something "controversial" such as marijuana clinics. "I'm not putting down patient needs," Palmeri, a member of the West County Board of Zoning Adjustments, explained. "The issue is that not a single opportunity was given, from someone preaching local governance, for people to get involved." Two club owners said more education is necessary. Adele Morgan, who opened We Are Hemp on Lewelling Boulevard in Cherryland 31/2 years ago, said the "good benefits of marijuana" are superior to narcotics and other pills on the market, "which can hurt the kidneys and liver." William McDonald, who owns A Natural Source on Foothill Boulevard in Ashland, said a lack of medical marijuana centers will bolster street crime and force people "to go to the street to get cannabis to medicate (themselves)." "As a (cannabis) club owner, I encourage regulations," he added. Miley explained that a county committee started working on medical marijuana dispensary regulations nearly a year ago. However, other projects put the regulatory review on the back burner until cannabis club growth in Ashland and Cherryland prompted the ban and preparation of new statutes. All seven existing dispensaries will be reviewed once new regulations are adopted, Miley said. None will receive an automatic pass merely because they were in business before the ban was enacted.Karen Holzmeister's coverage area includes county government for unincorporated areas. Note: About 100 speak for, against clinics in unincorporated areas.Newshawk: MayanSource: Daily Review, The (CA)Author: Karen Holzmeister, Staff WritersPublished: Friday, October 29, 2004 Copyright: 2004 MediaNews Group, Inc.Contact: revlet angnewspapers.comWebsite: http://www.dailyreviewonline.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medicinal Cannabis Research Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/research.htmCounty Puts New Pot Clubs on Hold http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19716.shtmlPot Club District Going Up in Smoke http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19015.shtmlCity Withholds Permits from Cannabis Clubshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19007.shtml
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