GROVER GUARDS AGAINST POT CENTERS

The City Council temporarily bans distribution centers for medical
marijuana and may renew the ban again in 45 days; officials await a
Supreme Court decision

Grover Beach put a temporary ban on medical marijuana distribution
centers Monday, joining two other cities in San Luis Obispo County
concerned about the effects such dispensaries would have on their
communities.

"We need to be proactive," said Councilman Dave Ekbom, who is in favor
of a total ban of medical marijuana dispensaries.

Because San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande have approved such
ordinances, Grover Beach officials are worried that any groups wanting
to open a dispensary might target Grover Beach.

"It's precautionary," said City Attorney Martin Koczanowicz. "There's
a high probability that people interested in this type of business
would come to cities that don't have regulations in place."

Koczanowicz added that he's not aware of any groups who have indicated
they want to open a center in the city.

The moratorium will be effective for 45 days and will come back to the
council in February for a possible extension until a Supreme Court
ruling is issued. Local officials hope the court will clear up the
current conflict between state and federal law over the legality of
medical marijuana.

Meanwhile, staff will evaluate where such centers could be located
within the city -- or whether they want to ban them completely.

Federal law prohibits the possession, cultivation and dispensing of
marijuana, regardless of purpose. But California voters in 1996 passed
an act that protects patients, their primary caregivers and physicians
who prescribe marijuana for medical treatment from criminal
prosecution.

The current case would decide whether the federal government can
prosecute medical marijuana users in the state.

But while local officials hope the high court's decision gives them a
clear direction, San Luis Obispo attorney Louis Koory said "it's not
going to happen."

"It is an important decision, but it's not going to validate or
invalidate the state law. We're still going to have a marijuana
statute in our state," he said.