CITY EXPANDS MORATORIUM ON MARIJUANA CLUBS

The Camarillo City Council extended a 45-day moratorium on the
establishment or operation of medical marijuana clubs to one year.

The council unanimously approved extending the original moratorium by 10
months and 15 days, until June 11, 2009.

After receiving several requests concerning the operation of medial
marijuana dispensaries, or cannabis clubs, along Ventura Boulevard in Old
Town, the City Council needed to take some action. The city's municipal
code has no law dealing with the issue.

The City Council had the option of extending the original moratorium or
creating new laws.

City staff felt the initial 45day period was not enough time to properly
resolve the conflicts between federal and state law. Federal law prohibits
any use or sale of marijuana, but the drug, when used for certain
medicinal purposes, has been legal in California since 1996.

Simi Valley, Moorpark and Oxnard have adopted similar moratoriums, while
the planning commission in Agoura Hills recently recommended that its City
Council ban the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries.

According to a report by Assistant City Attorney Don Davis, about 140
California cities and 11 counties have adopted bans or moratoriums.