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White Paper on Medical Marijuana
Dispensaries
Prepared by FixLosAngeles.com
July 10th, 2009
White Paper On Marijuana Dispensaries
July 10, 2009
2 |P a g e
Table of Contents
I.
Introduction................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ .......................... 3
II.
Federal Law........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
III.
California Law................................ ................................................................................................................................ ...................... 4
a.
Proposition 215................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ ............... 4
b.
SB420................................................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ 5
c.
Attorney General\u2018s Guidelines................................................................ ................................................................ .....................5
d.
Primary Caregivers................................ ................................................................................................................................ ......... 6
IV.
Laws in Other Municipalities................................ ................................................................ ............................................................. 7
V.
Situation Overview................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ .............. 7
a.
History................................................................ ................................................................ .............................................................. 7
b.
L.A.\u2018s Response toP r olife r a tio n................................................................ ................................................................ .................. 8
c.
Do We Need Them?................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ ...... 9
d.
Storefront Dispensaries & Cooperatives / Collectives................................ ................................................................ ............ 9
e.
Harvest/Consumption................................ ................................................................................................................................ 10
f.
Liability Issues................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ ............... 10
g.
Adverse secondary impacts................................................................ ................................................................ ......................... 11
VI.
Legal Questions.................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
VII.

Conclusion & Recommendations................................................................ ................................................................ ................... 16 Scenario I\u2013 Prohibition................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ .............. 18 Scenario II - Zoning Regulations................................ .............................................................................................................................. 18

VIII. Exhibits................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
a.
Ordinances in other municipalities................................................................ ................................................................ ............ 21
b.
Proposition 215................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ ............. 44
c.
SB 420................................................................ ................................................................ ............................................................. 45
d.
Attorney General Guidelines................................................................ ................................................................ ...................... 60
e.
L.A. County Code................................ ................................................................ ................................................................ ......... 68
f.
FAQs................................................................ .............................................................................................................................. 71
White Paper On Marijuana Dispensaries
July 10, 2009
3 |P a g e
I. Introduction
\u2015Proposition 215

, an initiative authorizing the limited possession, cultivation, and use of marijuana by patients and their care providers for certain medicinal purposes recommended by a physician without subjecting such persons to criminal punishment, was passed by California voters in 1996. This was

supplemented by the California State Legislature\u2018s enactment in 2003 of the Medical Marijuana Program Act
(\u2015MMPA\u2016) (SB 420) that became effective in 2004. The language of Proposition 215 was codified in

California as the Compassionate Use Act, which added section 11362.5 to the California Health & Safety Code. Much later, the language of Senate Bill 420 became the Medical Marijuana Program Act (MMPA), and was added to the California Health & Safety Code as section 11362.7 et seq.

The legislature also required the Attorney General to adopt \u2015guidelines to ensure the security and
nondiversion of marijuana grown for medical use.\u2016 (Health & Safety Code, \u00a7 11362.81(d).1) Among other

requirements, it purports to direct all California counties to set up and administer av o luntary identification card system for medical marijuana users and their caregivers. Some counties have already complied with the mandatory provisions of the MMPA, and others have unsuccessfully challenged provisions of the Act. In May 2009, the United States Supreme court refused to hear a case brought by San Diego and Riverside Counties involving compliance with MMPA. Both are now moving to comply with SB420.

With respect to marijuana dispensaries, the reaction of counties and municipalities to these nascent businesses has been decidedly mixed. Some have issued permits for such enterprises. Others have refused to do so within their jurisdictions. Still others have permitted such operations on the condition that they not violate any state or federal law, or have reversed course after initially allowing such activities within their geographical borders by either limiting or refusing to allow any further dispensaries to open in their community.

This White Paper explores these matters, the apparent conflicts between federal and California law, and the scope of both direct and indirect adverse impacts of marijuana dispensaries in local communities. Potential recommendations, scenarios and community suggestions will also be included. Lastly, it also recounts several examples that could be emulated of what some governmental officials and law enforcement agencies have already instituted in their jurisdictions to limit the proliferation of marijuana dispensaries and to

mitigate their negative consequences.\u20161
1 California Police Chiefs Association. (http://www.californiapolicechiefs.org/
)
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