COUNCIL RESTRICTS MEDICAL POT SALE

Citrus Heights would still allow the city's first cannabis shop to
open on Auburn Boulevard.

The Citrus Heights City Council adopted an urgency ordinance Wednesday
setting restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries while making
room for a cannabis shop planned on Auburn Boulevard.

The ordinance requires operators to have a business license and obtain
a yearly "medical cannabis dispensary permit" from the city manager.
In addition, the shops must be nonprofit operations.

The law specifies that only two dispensaries will be allowed in Citrus
Heights and restricts where they can be located. Provisions also limit
the amount of processed marijuana and the number of plants allowed in
each shop and prohibit consumption on the premises.

The council adopted the measure Wednesday as an urgency ordinance,
which does not require public hearings and takes effect
immediately.

City Attorney Michael Dean told the council that local jurisdictions,
including Elk Grove and Roseville, are fielding inquiries about
licenses for cannabis shops. Interest has increased since SB 420,
which requires the state to issue identification cards to medical
marijuana users, took effect Jan. 1.

"This ordinance will fill a vacuum," Dean said.

The council unanimously adopted the ordinance after modifying a key
provision to accommodate operators seeking to open the first medical
marijuana dispensary in Citrus Heights.

Kevin Gill and Lucille Fisher have applied for a license to open
Compassion Wellness Clinic at 7376 Auburn Blvd. Gill told the council
that he has signed a lease and plans to open the shop next month.

An ordinance provision recommended by city staff members called for
prohibiting cannabis shops in residential areas or within 1,000 feet
of another dispensary, school, public library or park. Gill's clinic
is set to open about 900 feet from Sylvan Middle School.

Mayor James Shelby and Vice Mayor Bret Daniels voiced support for
restrictions on cannabis dispensaries but raised concerns about
fairness for Gill and Fisher. They noted that the urgency ordinance
was not on the books when the operators settled on the Auburn
Boulevard location.

At the end of the discussion, the council accepted a suggestion by
Shelby and Daniels that the city knock 100 feet off the distance
requirement so Compassion Wellness Clinic could have a chance to open.

Community Development Director Janet Ruggiero said the urgency measure
would take effect immediately while officials work on a permanent
ordinance. Shelby suggested staff members take advantage of the
technical expertise offered by medical marijuana advocates.

Supporters of medical marijuana at the meeting Wednesday praised
Citrus Heights officials for their "compassion" in adopting the ordinance.

"This is the opposite of what has occurred in Elk Grove," said Ryan
Landers, who is affiliated with the American Alliance For Medical
Cannabis and Californians For Compassionate Use.

On April 7, the Elk Grove City Council reluctantly adopted rules for
medical marijuana dispensaries, which cities must permit under state
law. During the meeting, council members and city officials expressed
hope that the restrictions would discourage operators from opening
cannabis shops in Elk Grove.

Landers told the Citrus Heights council that he suffers from
full-blown AIDS and sometimes uses as much as a half-pound of medical
marijuana each month.

"I stand before you for the sick and the dying that truly need your
support and compassion," Landers said.