Tentative approval of medical pot dispensary ordinance in Sonoma

Tentative approval of medical pot dispensary ordinance in Sonoma

by Bay City News, CBS 5 - TV
January 30th, 2007

Sonoma County's Board of Supervisors approved by a 5-0 straw vote
this afternoon a proposed ordinance regulating medical marijuana
dispensaries in unincorporated areas of the county. A final vote is
scheduled for March 20.

The board heard comments from more than a dozen medical marijuana
patients and providers. There is a moratorium on new dispensaries in
the unincorporated areas of the county until May 5 and some of the
county's cities also have passed moratoriums.

The board directed the county's Permit and Resource Management
Department to draft an ordinance requiring 1,000 feet between a
dispensary and a school, day care center or playground. Each
dispensary will have to obtain a use permit and a public hearing will
be held on each application.

The board disapproved of the planning department's allowance of
consumption of marijuana on the dispensaries' premises. Board members
said they are concerned about transportation and safety. The board
had no objection about dispensaries remaining open on Sundays and
holidays.

Under the proposed ordinance, there will be a Level 1 dispensary of
not more than 1,000 square feet serving less than 300 patients and no
more than 20 patients between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each business day.

A Level 2 dispensary could serve more than 299 patients and/or be in
a facility greater than 1,000 square feet and serving more than 20
patients between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. each business day.

The proposed ordinance prohibits exterior signs or symbols that
advertise the availability of cannabis and prohibits people under age
18 on the premises.

Sheriff Bill Cogbill said the ordinance, if approved "will not ensure
that an investigation or prosecution will not occur'' for retail sale
of marijuana.

County guidelines allow medical marijuana patients to cultivate 30
plants and possess 3 pounds of marijuana but state and federal laws
prohibit the retail sale of marijuana, Cogbill said.
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