STOCKTON OKS UP TO 3 POT SHOPS

Strict Guidelines Are Approved For Dispensaries

STOCKTON - As many as three medical marijuana dispensaries will be
allowed in Stockton under regulations approved Tuesday by the City Council.

City leaders for months have reviewed and revised proposed rules for
pot shops. On Tuesday, attorneys and other medical marijuana
advocates mostly spoke favorably of Stockton's proposed rules before
the council took action.

Councilman Elbert Holman Jr. cast the lone dissenting vote after
expressing concerns about possible increases in marijuana-related
crime and violence.

Though much language was revised in recent weeks at the request of
dispensary supporters, the regulations impose strict requirements on
pot collectives.

The number of dispensaries will be capped at three - with a future
limit of one per 100,000 residents as the city grows - and require
them to obtain a $30,000 operator's permit in addition to other
application fees.

Dispensaries must locate at least 600 feet away from any other
dispensary, school, park, library, child care facility or community
center. In a previous set of draft rules, the separation requirement
was 1,000 feet.

Other regulations include:

- - A previous requirement that dispensary employees have to wait 60
days for background checks before they begin working was eliminated.
They still must undergo background checks but would be able to work
on a temporary basis pending their results.

- - As many as two dispensaries could be allowed within a single City
Council district, instead of just one. Most of the areas permitted
for dispensaries are located in industrial areas of south Stockton.

- - The Police Department will have discretion over whether to deny a
dispensary permit if the applicant has a past drug conviction or has
operated an unpermitted dispensary.

- - A seven-person, council-appointed community panel will be
established to review applicants.

Some criticized the ordinance because it does not allow marijuana
cultivation in Stockton.

Whether the city will capitalize on the dispensaries won't be decided
until later this year.

In November, voters will decide whether to levy a 2.5 percent tax on
sales at medical marijuana dispensaries. That measure also would levy
a 10 percent tax for all other marijuana businesses should California
voters in November legalize pot for recreational use.