CITY OFFICIALS 'READY FOR ANY OUTCOME' WITH DISPENSARY

Hollister Mayor Victor Gomez said city officials must be prepared for
the possibility of Purple Cross Rx, whose proposal for a medical
marijuana dispensary here has been turned away by officials, still
opening and serving area customers.

Council members at their meeting last week voted against changing the
zoning code - which prohibits functions that violate state or federal
law - to allow for such operations. Gomez, however, expressed concern
to the Free Lance because Purple Cross Rx has received a seller's
permit with the state board of equalization, effective Friday.

Council members sided with the notion to disallow such pot
dispensaries because they violate federal law, while the state has
permitted the operations since California voters approved of medical
marijuana legalization in 1996.

Gomez said the group hasn't opened lines of communication and noted
how the only contact from the organization during the process, other
than receiving a report detailing its intentions, has been one e-mail
"pretty much stating they're taking new customers."

"That kind of had me head scratching," Gomez said. "I thought, 'Oh
great, they're just going to open up their doors.'"

That's precisely what a group called Medileaf did in Gilroy after its
city council in November rejected a similar proposal. The dispensary
opened without the city's OK, and now the two sides are fighting over
the matter in court.

Hollister officials also have noted that Purple Cross Rx appears
prepared to deliver medical marijuana in San Benito County. Its Web
site, www.purplecrossrx.org, promotes the delivery service and lists
off prices as well. The drivers are volunteers, it says, and the hours
of operations are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Purple Cross Rx representatives could not be reached immediately
before publication.

"Our concern right now is just being prepared and ready for any
outcome," Gomez said.

Councilman Doug Emerson has other concerns as well, such as the lack
of clarity with Purple Cross' nonprofit designation. Regarding the
notion of Purple Cross opening shop or delivering in San Benito County
without authorization locally, Emerson said involving the police
department or district attorney would be a "strong
possibility."

"Personally, I think there's a need for medical marijuana in certain
circumstances," Emerson said. "I'm scared about the lack of
regulations and enforcement I've read about."