cannabisnews.com: Medical Pot Center Awaits Zoning OK Medical Pot Center Awaits Zoning OK Posted by FoM on April 21, 2000 at 15:25:06 PT By Darrel W. Cole, Sentinel Staff Writer Source: Santa Cruz County Sentinel Kate Wells, the lawyer who recently opened a medical marijuana association in a Seabright house, expects the city to determine soon if her organization fits the area’s zoning.Wells said she would submit to the city today an explanation of what her organization does. If city officials determine Santa Cruz Cannabis Pharmaceuticals fits the area’s zoning, the group might be allowed to remain in the neighborhood. If it does not, Wells would have to apply for a special use permit, which could take months to process and would require several public hearings.The organization, according to city officials, is in violation of city zoning ordinances and could be shut down.Some Seabright residents, calling themselves Seabright Neighbors Against the Cannabis Club, say the city should close the operation immediately because Wells opened it without permission from the city. They also complain that the operation is in a residential neighborhood not far from a church and a school.Marijuana is used by some people to relieve suffering caused by diseases and illnesses like HIV, migraines, cancer and anorexia. Wells distributes marijuana to the patients from the home.In the near term, the city has said it will allow Wells to stay open and will not force the issue, despite issuing a shut-down order to her earlier in the week.Wells said she will comply with any city ruling."I am not defying the city here," Wells said. "We are functioning with the good graces of the city."The controversy started about two weeks ago when neighbors caught wind of the organization. The area is zoned for professional and administrative offices, but includes some homes, too.On Monday the city ordered Wells to close down but soon retracted the demand, opting instead to work with Wells on a solution. Wells said if the city had followed through with its original order, she would have complied, but would have provided medical marijuana to patients somewhere else.Robert Barandas, a Seabright resident, said he and others are "disappointed the city has turned a blind eye to its own zoning regulations."By the time the special use permit process is finished, the city’s new medical marijuana ordinance, which is expected to spell out where such providers can operate, should be in effect. The ordinance, passed unanimously by the City Council earlier this month, takes effect May 11.As written, the ordinance categorizes a medical marijuana association as a "community organization, club or meeting hall." Wells said that is an inappropriate definition because the centers are not places to meet or hang out.Meanwhile, Wells said her search for a new location to distribute medical marijuana has been slowed. She said media attention and neighbor protests has some landlords shying away from her organization.Wells is leasing the Seabright house from Andrea Tischler, the woman who Thursday opened a bed and breakfast in the city that caters to medical marijuana users. Published: April 21, 2000Copyright © 1999-2000, Santa Cruz County Sentinel Publishers Co.Related Article: Santa Cruz Pot Club Faces Crackdown http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5457.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Sites from Santa Cruz:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/The Compassion Flower Innhttp://compassionflowerinn.com/ Bed, Bud and Breakfast Opens in Santa Cruz http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5478.shtmlCalifornia Inn Seeking Users Of Marijuana http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5456.shtmlInside the Remote Farm That Supplies M. Marijuana http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5423.shtmlMedical Marijuana Crime in O.C. but not in Santa Cruz http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5392.shtmlMarijuana Theme for New Hotel in Santa Cruz http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5235.shtmlSanta Cruz Pot Ordinance Allows Medical Marijuana http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5221.shtmlPictures Of The Compassion Flower Inn: Joint Venture - Marijuana Theme for New Hotel in Santa Cruz http://homepages.go.com/~marthag1/cfinn.htm Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by Mark Tide on April 21, 2000 at 19:54:14 PT: VIEW THE ACTUAL SANTA CRUZ P215 ORDINANCE Persons interested can VIEW this new Santa Cruz P215 Implementation Ordinance online at the LINK BELOW. Access is at several points at this ezine (Arcata Journal), but is easiest is at (or near) top of our main page's "recent features" column / file.For several good reasons this is the most important policy move in a while. We all need to keep well focused on the details of these matters, however. Amendments to these ordinances (Arcata, Santa Cruz, Oakland) are sure to come. These issues must be resolved, in the best way, for this reform to finally gather itself together and move ahead. Arcata Journal [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: