SACRAMENTO COUNTY SUPERVISORS TO LOOK AT NEW WAYS TO SHUT POT STORES

Fed up with a surge in marijuana dispensaries, Sacramento County
supervisors called Tuesday for enhanced measures to shut them down at
least until the county decides whether it wants to permit them.

Sacramento County has been grappling for two years with how to deal
with a continuing influx of medical marijuana stores officials say
aren't allowed under any county ordinance.

Last January, at least 27 dispensaries were operating in incorporated
areas despite orders to close. On Wednesday, supervisors were told
that the county's code enforcement division has now served closure
notices on 51 marijuana stores.

But despite seeking $60,000 in fines and preparing to take 11 cases to
court, county officials said the population of unlicensed dispensaries
continues to increase and there may be 80 or more in the county.

On Wednesday, supervisors voted 4-1 to study remedies, perhaps
including giving enhanced resources or funding for legal action to the
code enforcement division.

Supervisors, who are considering passing a new law to allow some
dispensaries in the county, argued they can't deal with the matter
until they first stop the influx and close those operating illegally.

"We've had a proliferation because our ordinance is perceived to be
soft," said Supervisor Don Nottoli before the board voted to discuss
additional measures Aug. 10 to shutter marijuana stores. "I'm
concerned that this thing continues to bloom out of control. We need
to take a stand for what's currently in the law in this county."

The supervisors were greeted by a procession of medical marijuana
advocates, who argued that the county has made things worse by not
approving a plan to allow and regulate dispensaries serving legal
medical marijuana users.

"This is a hidden agenda. This is discrimination against a class of
medicine that helps thousands of people," said Dr. David Allen, a
former cardiothoracic surgeon who now recommends marijuana to patients
at a Sacramento clinic.

George Mull, an attorney for the California Cannabis Association
advocacy group, asked supervisors to give a six-month reprieve to
dispensaries while it considers a permanent plan.

Mull argued that the county could raise up to $400,000 to oversee
dispensaries by charging a temporary $5,000 permit application fee. He
said it could also require dispensaries to submit required state sales
permits and prove payment of sales taxes.

Two supervisors, Jimmie Yee and board Chairwoman Roberta MacGlashan,
said they would support an ordinance to ban dispensaries altogether.
Supervisor Susan Peters suggested "hefty fines" against landlords who
lease space to "illegal businesses."

But both Peters and Supervisor Phil Serna said the county should
consider allowing a specified number of dispensaries and ask county
voters to approve taxes on their operations.

"I think we should give ourselves a chance to explore this further,"
Serna said.