MARIJUANA OUTLETS BACK BEFORE COUNCIL

Pleasanton Moratorium Due To Expire Aug. 5

PLEASANTON -- With a temporary moratorium on medical marijuana
dispensaries close to expiring, the City Council will revisit the
issue tonight.

The moratorium took effect in August 2005 and was extended the
following month for a year, largely because the council felt it did
not have enough information about crime associated with dispensaries
and the implications of federal law prohibiting marijuana.

When it came before the council a year ago, they felt there wasnt
enough information, so they put a moratorium in place for one year,
said Pamela Ott, the citys economic development manager.

Ott added that the council might decide to make a moratorium
permanent through an ordinance.

In 1996, voters passed Proposition 215, which allowed marijuana use
with a doctors recommendation. But federal law maintains that
marijuana has no medical benefits.

City officials have received at least two inquiries about
establishing a medical marijuana dispensary in Pleasanton within the
past five months, a staff report said.

About 21 cities have completely banned dispensaries, while 62 cities
have moratoriums. The council is expected to act tonight because
Pleasantons temporary ban is due to expire Aug. 5.

The city would be following its neighbors if it renews its efforts to
keep dispensaries out. In June, Dublin formally passed an ordinance
that banned dispensaries for good. Dublin joined Concord as the only
two East Bay cities to ban dispensaries through an ordinance.

Last week, the Livermore City Council voted 4-0 to extend its
moratorium rather than adopt an ordinance.

City Attorney John Pomidor warned that the city could face lawsuits
if it adopted a permanent ban. Concord was sued by the Americans for
Safe Access, a medical marijuana advocacy group based in Oakland.
That lawsuit later was dropped.