PALM SPRINGS OKs THIRD MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

The Palm Springs City Council tonight approved an ordinance allowing
a third medical marijuana dispensary to operate in the city and
awarded the permit to Organic Solutions of the Desert.

Eight other applicants had sought the permit. Herbal Solutions also
met the city's requirements to be awarded the permit, according to a
city staff report.

The City Council voted 4-1 to award the permit to Organic Solutions
of the Desert, with Councilwoman Ginny Foat voting no.

Three applicants -- Palm Springs Compassionate Care, Greenway Nature
Care Center and Farmacy Collective -- nearly qualified, but did not
meet zoning restrictions, the report states.

A staff report found that a third city-sanctioned dispensary would
help provide a sufficient number of "reliable and appropriately
regulated medical cannabis cooperatives."

In March 2009, the council voted to allow two collectives, or
cooperatives, in compliance with state law to operate within the
city's three industrial zones.