STAN THE MAN COLLECTIVE SEES COURT BATTLE WITH CITY OF VALLEJO
DELAYED TO MAY 11

Vallejo's legal battle with a medical marijuana collective inched
forward in court Wednesday as the number of unregulated dispensaries
citywide continues to grow.

No serious issues were decided, though, as Solano County Superior
Court Judge Ramona Garrett set a new court date of May 11 to allow
defendants time to change attorneys.

Meanwhile, Vallejo cannabis operations continue to multiply without
police or city interference. Since the city's civil case was filed
about eight months ago, some say at least five new facilities have
cropped up -- bringing the city's unofficial total to 14. No official
government count exists.

On Sept. 31, Garrett ordered Stan the Man's Collective, Inc., on
Warren Avenue to stop distributing medical marijuana to patients
because of alleged zoning code violations. The dispensary, however,
has argued that the city did not go through the right process to
determine whether it fits in with other types of allowed businesses,
such as medical services or garden nurseries.

Garrett's ruling does not apply to any other medical marijuana establishments.

Even as the case unfolds, at least one Vallejo elected official is
pondering whether medical marijuana dispensaries should be allowed.
Councilwoman Marti Brown said this week the city should look into
regulating dispensaries and "creating a clear, transparent policy now."

Mayor Osby Davis says the city should focus on getting rid of any
storefront distribution operations -- as opposed to "cooperatives or
collectives" -- that are open to the general public. Davis also has
indicated he's not necessarily opposed to allowing regulated
collectives that grow and cultivate medical marijuana for the benefit
of qualified members.

After Wednesday's hearing, Stan the Man's attorney Danny Schultz
questioned why the city is pouring money into the lawsuit if policy
makers haven't made up their minds how to approach the issue.

"Our hope is that during the course of the case the city will come up
with some regulations and find a way to issue permits," Schultz said
outside of the Vallejo courthouse. "That way, we can follow the law
and patients can receive their cannabis that doctors have prescribed."