COUNTY APPROVES PERMANENT BAN ON POT DISPENSARIES

Supervisors voted unanimously this week to make its ban pot
dispensaries in county limits permanent, and it followed similar bans
already in place for Hollister and San Juan Bautista.

The board's decision followed approval in February of an urgency
ordinance that allowed county staff time to return to the board with
an ordinance banning dispensaries, including collectives,
cooperatives, clubs and clinics.

In making the decision, board members noted how the medical marijuana
dispensaries, permitted by the state, are illegal under federal law.

The ban was spurred by the opening of a Purple Cross Rx medical
marijuana dispensary on Bolsa Road near Flynn Road. County officials
previously have argued the facility is on land zoned for agricultural
uses and have told the landlord that his tenant, Scott McPhail, does
not have permission to operate the dispensary there.

Purple Cross previously had a location in downtown Hollister and was
sued by the city for violating zoning codes there as well.

McPhail attended last week's meeting but did not speak during public
comment. San Jose-based attorney James Roberts represented Purple
Cross and urged supervisors to research medical marijuana benefits.