POT LAW BACK ON BOARD AGENDA

There's no place to get medical marijuana in Calaveras County. At least not
legally.

But that could change soon, as supervisors on Monday will discuss an
ordinance that would allow cannabis dispensaries in the county.

County planners drew up rules for such dispensaries last fall, after San
Andreas resident Kim Cue applied to open a cannabis club -- as the
dispensaries are commonly called -- in San Andreas.

If approved, the ordinance would allow the clubs to open in
commercially-zoned office parks. Cue would still need to apply for an
administrative use permit if the ordinance is passed.

But no club could open within 1,000 feet of a school or youth-oriented
establishment.

A background check would be required for anyone who wants to open a club.
The county would have access to the businesses' financial accounts. If
requested, the records would have to be produced within 24 hours, according
to the ordinance.

Supervisors discussed the ordinance in November but a vote on whether to
approve it died for lack of support. Supervisor Tom Tryon called for the
matter to be brought back to the board at a later date, after two new
county supervisors had been sworn in.

At the November meeting, both Tryon and Supervisor Merita Callaway said
they would consider approving the ordinance at a later date.

But Supervisor Victoria Erickson said at the same meeting that she opposed
the ordinance.

Three weeks earlier, the county's Planning Commission had unanimously
recommended that the board reject the ordinance.

Several commissioners said the ordinance was not strict enough. They added
that if marijuana is to be distributed in the county, it should be done by
federally regulated pharmacies, not cannabis clubs.

They also noted the use of marijuana, for any purpose, is a violation of
federal law.

New supervisors Bill Claudino and Steve Wilensky said last fall they would
study the ordinance, but did not comment on how they would vote.

Sheriff Dennis Downum has said he opposes the ordinance, noting the clubs
could promote the use of marijuana among youth.

Cue said last fall that she would provide strict security at her proposed
club and not allow minors inside.

The Angels Camp City Council passed a cannabis ordinance last year. Several
California counties, including Amador, Sacramento, Alameda and San
Francisco, allow cannabis dispensaries.

Tuolumne County officials have discussed but not finalized a cannabis
ordinance.

California voters in 1996 approved the Compassionate Use Act, allowing for
the limited sale and harvest of marijuana. According to the act,
individuals suffering from certain conditions have the right to obtain and
use marijuana for medical purposes with a doctor's prescription.

Calaveras County officials have noted that they are legally required to
make medical marijuana available to qualified patients.

According to the act, the conditions include cancer, anorexia, AIDS,
glaucoma, arthritis, chronic pain, spasticity, migraine or "any other
illness for which marijuana provides relief."