MEDICAL MARIJUANA MAP SWIFTLY REDRAWN

OAKLAND -- For nearly two years, Alameda County supervisors have
debated, questioned, praised, criticized and agonized over medical
marijuana clinics.

Not on Tuesday.

Instead, they took only five minutes to redraw the map identifying
where three dispensaries can operate in unincorporated areas.

No muss, no fuss, no public testimony, no supervisors' comments, and
just a brief staff report.

Then, Nate Miley, one of two supervisors whose districts include
cannabis clubs, made the motion to stretch the east Ashland-Castro
Valley area slightly south into Cherryland.

What's the practical effect of the change?

- -The Garden of Eden dispensary on Foothill Boulevard in south
Cherryland was added to east Ashland-Castro Valley, known as Area
Three.

The Garden of Eden is practically guaranteed the permit for this
area. Earlier this month, supervisors denied A Natural Source on
Foothill Boulevard in Ashland a chance to compete for a permit. It's
closing by the end of the month.

- -The Garden of Eden's move to Area Three leaves the Alameda County
Resource Center and Compassionate Caregivers of Alameda County to
compete for the operating permit in Area Two, northwest Ashland and
the rest of south Cherryland.

- -We Are Hemp on Lewelling Boulevard in San Lorenzo already has the
permit for Area One, San Lorenzo and north-central Cherryland.

The revised boundaries for areas two and three won't be effective for
more than a month, after supervisors vote to formally adopt the changes.

The decision inches the county closer to regulating these businesses,
some of which have been lightning rods for criminal activity and loitering.

About three years ago, after Oakland imposed tighter regulations on
its outlets, several clubs relocated to Ashland and Cherryland.

By 2004, three of seven clubs were clustered near each other on East
14th Street in Ashland. In October 2004, supervisors banned
additional clinics and began preparing new regulations to govern
existing ones.

Supervisors last year limited the number of clinics to three, and set
up a permit application process. Customers of the various outlets
protested the reduction in locations; in addition to local residents,
many people testified that they traveled to Alameda County cannabis
clubs from throughout the Bay Area.

Thus far, one club closed voluntarily, another closed after having
its permit application denied, and a Natural Source is close to
shutting its doors.