CALIMESA COUNCIL TO CONSIDER MORATORIUM ON MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

A moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries is likely to be adopted
by the Calimesa City Council next month.

The five-member council directed staff Monday night to draft a 45-day
moratorium and bring it back for their vote on Oct. 5. The council
could extend the moratorium up to two years, a staff report states.

Council members say the moratorium will give the city time to research
the issue of medical marijuana dispensaries. Mayor Jim Hyatt expressed
interest in contacting Inland cities that allow dispensaries to see
how it's working.

Councilman Bill Davis said he doesn't have a problem with the use of
marijuana for medical purposes but does have questions, including what
law enforcement costs are associated with dispensaries.

The council also wants to see how the California Supreme Court rules
on a case challenging the city of Anaheim's ban on medical marijuana
dispensaries.

Calimesa is just one of several Inland cities to take up the issue of
medical marijuana recently. Beaumont enacted a prohibition on
dispensaries earlier this year and followed up with a moratorium on
collectives and cooperatives.

Yucaipa adopted a ban on dispensaries on Sept. 14 and the week before,
the Loma Linda City Council extended a ban on dispensaries through
July 2010.

Dispensaries became an issue in Calimesa when a group called South
Coast Patients Collective Association approached the city about
establishing one in town.

"Since then, staff has received a few inquiries from other interested
parties waiting to see what action the city will be taking," a staff
report states.

Calimesa's zoning code does not address medical marijuana
dispensaries.