BELLFLOWER SAYS NO TO MARIJUANA

BELLFLOWER - In light of an herbal remedy store that apparently sold
marijuana as medicine, city leaders Monday imposed a temporary ban on
marijuana dispensaries.

The City Council unanimously voted to place an urgency moratorium to
give the city officials at least 45 days and up to a year to hammer
out an ordinance.

California voters in 1996 passed Proposition 215, which permits the
use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Currently, Bellflower zoning does not address the distribution of
medical marijuana, said city Community Services Director Brian Lee.

The city began receiving inquiries about establishing dispensaries and
at least one business - Premium Care, 16900 Lakewood Blvd. - has been
operating as one. According to a staff report, the city issued a June
16 permit to an "alternative healing" business that sold vitamins,
garlic pills and other natural remedies.

However, the business owner failed to mention the sale of medical
marijuana.

When the city found out, officials ordered the business to stop. The
business, in turn, wrote the city Aug. 14 of its intention to operate
as a "cannabis co-operative."

Premium Care will continue to do business, but it will not be able to
sell marijuana, Lee said.

One person voiced opposition to the council's decision.

Darrell Kruse of Chino said he uses marijuana to alleviate chronic
back pain. "I don't think you have a right to do an urgency ordinance
barring an act that's been in existence for 10 years, but cities often
do what they want," he said.

Bellflower joins neighboring cities such as La Mirada and Pico Rivera,
where councils there imposed bans on medical marijuana dispensaries
while an ordinance is in the works.