GARDEN GROVE: CANNABIS CLUB FOUNDER WILL APPEAL CITY'S ACTION

Medicinal marijuana guru and cannabis club founder Marvin Chavez vowed to
appeal a city decision Tuesday that in effect will revoke his group's
business license and force it out of the city. Chavez received a business
license for the Orange County Patient, Doctor and Nurses Support Group last
year.

City officials later learned that it also operated as the Orange County
Cannabis Club, a group that distributes marijuana to patients suffering
from a variety of illnesses. In approving an amendment to city business
license requirements, officials have opened the door for revocation of the
club's permit because some of its operations might violate the law.

California voters have approved medicinal use of marijuana, but issues of
cultivation and distribution have yet to be resolved. Chavez said the club
is supplied through "compassionate drug dealers" and urges its members to
grow the plant for their own medicinal purposes. The club takes donations
for the marijuana it offers, but supplies are not sold, he said.

Several marijuana users, including an AIDS patient, asked the council for
compassion and understanding of their need to use the drug.

"I appreciate the argument for compassion," said City Councilman Ken
Maddox, whose mother and grandmother recently died of cancer. "But
currently the organization is operating outside the law, and as a council
member I have to uphold the law. I can't turn a blind eye."

An appeal can be filed by the club after the amended ordinance goes into
effect late next month.

Copyright Los Angeles Times