GARDEN GROVE: OFFICIALS SEEK WAYS TO BAR MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROUP

Before a San Francisco appeals court ruling threw the future
of medical marijuana outlets in doubt, an organization calling
itself the Orange County Cannabis Coop was taking steps to open
an office in Garden Grove.

Marvin Chavez, who listed a Garden Grove post office box as
his address when he applied for a business license, said he hoped to
open an office where meetings of a medical support group could be
held and where marijuana could be offered to the sick and suffering
who have a medical prescription for it.

But city officials, anxious to keep Chavez from establishing roots
in the area, will examine ways to keep the coop out of the city.

"He paid a business tax. We have no authority to deny him the
right to pay that tax," Police Capt. Dave Abrecht said. "If he opens
up a storefront and tries to sell or furnish marijuana, we would
arrest him."

"Frankly, this is very alarming," said City Councilman Ken
Maddox.

This month, the 1st District Court of Appeal reinstated a ban on
the sale of marijuana in San Francisco, despite passage of
California's medical marijuana initiative.

Copyright Los Angeles Times