California, Placentia

[palmspringsbum]

Friday, August 11, 2006

Temporary ban on medical marijuana sale proposed

The 45-day moratorium would allow city staff to study ways to regulate marijuana distributors

By SUSHMA SUBRAMANIAN
The Orange County Register


Placentia -- The City Council on Tuesday plans to establish a 45-day moratorium on launching medical marijuana dispensaries while city staff forms guidelines for their establishment.

The effort was prompted by two recent cases involving the sale of marijuana. In May, police confiscated 15 mature marijuana plants from a man who was distributing the drug from his residence without a permit.

City staff also received an inquiry about setting up a dispensary in Placentia.

Several California cities that have medical marijuana dispensaries have experienced an increase in crime, including resale of marijuana to people who don't have prescriptions and burglaries at the businesses, a city staff report says.

"You don't want become the hotbed for medical marijuana sales," Mayor Scott Brady said. "If you don't set up the proper rules and regulations, then you become the capital of fill in the blank - marijuana sales or massage parlors."

Eight massage parlors were operating in the city in March 2005, when the city set up stricter rules for massage therapists to show proof of certification. Many residents complained about illicit activity at the establishments. Since then, about half of the businesses have been shut down.

The temporary ban would be enacted Tuesday by a four-fifths vote by the City Council. City staff would then have 45 days to recommend an ordinance to the council.

<hr class=postrule>
<center>CONTACT US: 714-704-3796 or ssubramanian@ocregister.com<</center>

[Midnight toker]

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Medical pot dispensaries on hold

Placentia bans the facilities while it works on rules. A man faces charges tied to running a facility in the city.

By SUSHMA SUBRAMANIAN
The Orange County Register

<table class=posttable align=right width=170><tr><td class=postcell><img class=postimg src=bin/smith-steele.jpg></td></tr><tr><td class=postcap>ARRAIGNMENT: William Paoli, left, stands with client Steele Smith at the North County Justice Center</td></tr></table>PLACENTIA - A man facing felony charges for growing and selling medical marijuana at a Placentia dispensary has become the center of a legal tug of war between the city and medical marijuana advocates.

City Council members Tuesday voted to ban the establishment of cannabis dispensaries for 45 days in order to make rules to regulate their establishment.

"All of the folks who came to him have legitimate ailments and prescriptions," said dispensary owner Steele Smith's attorney, William Paoli.

Police in May confiscated 18 marijuana plants from Smith's dispensary, which was in a Placentia apartment. They also took patients' medical records and his computer. Smith has sued to have those items returned. He is scheduled to answer charges in a criminal case Sept. 15.

Smith had run the facility without a business license since January, Placentia police said. But Smith says he has a license in Anaheim, the dispensary's mailing address.

Smith said he uses medical marijuana to treat his condition, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which has given him 11 ulcers.

Federal law prohibits the sale of marijuana. State law under Proposition 215 exempts patients and their primary caregivers from criminal prosecution for growing and possessing marijuana.

Smith requires his patients to list him as their primary caregiver.

CONTACT US: 714-704-3796 or ssubramanian@ocregister.com