TOWN VOTES TO SNUFF MARIJUANA CLINICS

YUCCA VALLEY - The Yucca Valley Planning Commission this week voted
4-0-1 to prohibit the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries
in town. Commissioner Robert Lombardo was absent from the Tuesday
meeting. An amendment to Yucca Valley code forbidding the dispensaries
will go to the Town Council for a final decision.

Yucca Valley has been under a moratorium against new medical marijuana
dispensaries enacted by the Town Council to allow staff and officials
to decide whether to allow the businesses at all in town limits.

However, the moratorium allowed Yucca Valley's single dispensary,
California Alternative Medicinal Solutions (CAMS), to continue
providing marijuana because it opened before the moratorium was in
place and conformed to regulations in place at the time.

Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle found that the CAMS location, next
to the Desert Ballet Studio and Yucca Valley Karate, is legal under
California law. While the ballet and karate studios' clientele is
comprised mainly of children, the businesses are not playgrounds or
youth centers, he noted.

* When the Town Council enacted the moratorium, it was under the
guidance of attorney Naomi Silvergleid to allow commissioners time to
work with Town staff, considering land-use issues, appropriate zoning
districts and conforming and non-conforming uses.

However, it didn't appear that the voting commissioners were looking
at those conditions on Tuesday night. The information in the agenda
packet consisted primarily of a survey of 49 jurisdictions in San
Bernardino and Riverside counties to ascertain what medical marijuana
ordinances, if any, they had in place.

After asking Stueckle a few questions to get up to speed, the
commissioners opened the meeting for public comment. Fifteen speakers
were in favor of medical marijuana and dispensaries, one saw the need
for more regulation if allowed in Town and one speaker continued to
vehemently oppose dispensaries and medical marijuana.

Newly-appointed Commissioner Margo Sturges held to her previous
position as a private citizen and called it "a question of compassion"
as she stated her belief that medical marijuana is beneficial in some
cases. But, she added, "Yucca Valley is not the place for
dispensaries.

We're not equipped to handle dispensaries and co-ops legally," said
Sturges. "Think of our children and the examples we're setting for
them."

Sturges also said she was glad patients will be able to get marijuana
from Palm Springs dispensaries. "I will personally guarantee that I
will try hard to secure transportation, or arrange with help for
transportation," she pledged.

The Palms Springs City Council voted to allow two marijuana
dispensaries on Wednesday night.

Commission Vice Chairman Shannon Goodpaster admitted the issue was
difficult, with lots of factors involved. "Considerable reports find a
use for medical marijuana," he said. But he also thought dispensaries
might not be appropriate in Yucca Valley, or be in the town's best
interests. "This area is not good for CAMS right now," Goodpaster said.

Dawn Rowe, also newly appointed to the commission, reasoned, "If you
can grow your own, we don't need dispensaries, and there is no need to
drive down the hill."

Chairman Dennis McKoy was brief. "From my perspective, I'm not in
favor."

Lori Green, the one voice opposing marijuana among the public
speakers, was weeping as the commissioners voted to prohibit medical
marijuana dispensaries in town.

This is a victory for our kids," said the anti-marijuana activist, who
was against the proximity of the dispensary with the ballet and karate
studios.

D.J. Ross, the business owner and spokesperson for CAMS, saw another
side of the issue. "The kids lose," he said. "The largest segment of
our clientele is over 60 years old, and drug dealers don't care who
they sell to."

Ross said in the nine months that CAMS has been in operation next to
the studios, "No parents have come to us and said their children were
in danger."

He pointed out the CAMS building is heavily equipped with security
features and locks, minors are not allowed inside and cameras are
trained over the parking lot.

Ross said so far, all his business' services, including the indigent
program for members who cannot afford medication or who need
transportation, are still in effect.

Our attorneys are working," he added.