CONTRA COSTA COUNTY: Martinez City Council Considers Sanctioning Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Contra Costa County may soon have its first medical marijuana dispensary, as the Martinez City Council last week introduced an ordinance that would set criteria and regulations for such a dispensary, the Contra Costa Times reports. The council's act comes four years after the city put a moratorium on marijuana dispensaries. In 1996, after the state approved Proposition 215 allowing possession, cultivation and use of marijuana for medical purposes, Sara Barker and Bobby Judd approached the city about opening a dispensary. Council member Rob Schroder said that the council stalled on the decision, waiting to see how other cities handled the issue. Twenty-seven dispensaries have cropped up around the state, despite the fact that growing, possessing or selling marijuana in California remains a federal offense. The Martinez ordinance would ban dispensaries within 1,000 feet of a school, park or zoned residential area and would require that patients or designated caregivers receive the marijuana only at the dispensary. Employees, owners or volunteers also are prohibited from distributing marijuana any place but the dispensary, according to the proposal. The Martinez City Council is expected to adopt the ordinance next month (Condes, 6/26).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.