WINDS OF CHANGE

Stockton, County Can't Put Off Pot Dispensaries Much Longer

There are at least 46 marijuana dispensaries in the Sacramento area.
There are at least nine doctors or medical offices known to be ready
to help the ailing with pot prescriptions. There are at least eight
businesses selling hydroponic supplies in case you want to grow your
own pot. And there are at least 17 smoke shops where marijuana might be had.

How do we know this?

Because Sacramento News & Review, an irreverent weekly tabloid
magazine, spells it all out in a 32-page insert in its April 15 edition.

The supplement includes a two-page color map and guide - The
Marijuana Map - to help the ailing or simply curious on their next
cannabis caper.

Other than those in San Joaquin County who might be traveling north,
why is this important here?

Because county supervisors and the Stockton City Council are
wrestling with ordinances to deal with what could be a wave of pot
dispensaries in the area's future.

Last week, San Joaquin County supervisors extended their temporary
ban on pot businesses in the county's unincorporated areas.

County officials are trying to craft a permanent ordinance.

Likewise, in Stockton, the council is expected in the near future to
consider an ordinance regulating medical marijuana dispensaries.

This follows the recent opening of dispensaries in the city.

The pressure for more dispensaries is growing. Fourteen years ago,
California voters approved Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act
of 1996, allowing the medical use of marijuana.

Seven years ago, Senate Bill 420 passed to clarify parts of the
ballot proposition and establish a medical marijuana identification
card program.

Two things have happened in recent months that seem to have spurred
the proliferation of pot dispensaries:

While federal law prohibits marijuana use, the Obama administration
announced it would no longer raid California marijuana outlets
operating under state law (although the Drug Enforcement
Administration is still intercepting large illegal marijuana
shipments and eradicating illegal pot farms); and enough signatures
have been gathered to place a pot legalization measure on
California's November ballot.

Polls show state voters generally support legalizing and taxing pot.

That means local officials can't ignore the marijuana issue or hope
it will just go away.