MEDICAL POT WORKSHOP

The El Dorado County Development Services and the Sheriff's Department
will hold a public workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday to discuss
drafting a medical marijuana dispensary ordinance.

The workshop will be in the Planning Commission meeting room, Building
C, 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville.

Workshop participants will discuss how best to accommodate needs of
medical marijuana patients and their caregivers, consistent with state
law. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 allows people who need
marijuana for medical purposes to obtain and use it without fear of
criminal prosecution under specified circumstances. Senate Bill 420
clarified the scope of the 1996 law and allows cities and other
governing bodies to adopt and enforce rules and regulations consistent
with the state law. County staff members will talk about the
background of the law, the county's process to date, how they foresee
completing an ordinance and what other cities and counties are doing
to address the law. An open forum will follow the presentation.

Comments also may be submitted in writing to Ann Baker, senior
planner, El Dorado County Planning Division, 2850 Fairlane Court,
Placerville, CA 95667.