CANNABIS DISPENSARY DEBATED

A bid to open a medical marijuana dispensary in San Andreas yesterday
spurred spirited debate among Calaveras County supervisors.

One supervisor urged that medical marijuana businesses be banned
altogether. But the board, at County Counsel James Jones' recommendation,
delayed a decision on Kim Cue's application for 45 days.

Cue -- who did not speak at yesterday's meeting -- is asking to open his
business near the Calaveras County Government Center, at Highway 49 and
Mountain Ranch Road. The dispensary would neighbor the county surveyor's
office and the local 4-H headquarters.

Marijuana dispensaries -- or cannabis clubs -- became legal in 1996, after
California voters passed Proposition 215. Although federal laws prohibit
the use of marijuana for any purpose, the state initiative allows harvest
and sale of limited amounts of marijuana for medical purposes.

"I think we should say 'We don't want (the dispensary) in the county
seat,'" said Supervisor Lucy Thein.

She said having such a business near San Andreas Elementary School and
Calaveras High School was a concern.

"Now if San Andreas just got a strip joint, we would have it all," she joked.

Thein added she was opposed to medical marijuana clubs anywhere in the county.

Supervisors Tom Tryon and Merita Callaway countered that the application
should be reviewed and not rejected outright. They added the county risked
a lawsuit otherwise, a sentiment echoed by Jones.

"My guess is it's not legal to have a blanket ban on medical marijuana,"
the county counsel said.

In the coming 45 days, Sheriff Dennis Downum and other county officials
will review appropriate locations in San Andreas for the proposed
dispensary. Officials also want time to review limits on how many marijuana
plants the dispensary could legally harvest and sell.

Tryon said the business should be considered as long as it meets regulations.

"I don't think it's a big deal as long as (the dispensary) doesn't abuse
it," he said.

The Angels Camp City Council has authorized the operation of medical
cannabis clubs, but limited where they can operate.

In other business yesterday, supervisors:

Approved several zone changes, including one that some Copperopolis
residents said would increase traffic, crime and wear and tear on local roads.

Under that change, Lemke Construction Company was authorized to build seven
condos at 6603 Connor Estates Drive. The plan was opposed by many residents
of 120-unit Connor Estates subdivision, said Connie Williams, president of
the tract's homeowner's association.

Susan Larson, a former Calaveras County planning director now representing
Lemke Construction, said the firm had already agreed with Connor Estates to
pay for wear and tear on the privately owned Connor Estates Drive.

Approved raising construction and permit fees for some of the county's
largest industries, including cement plants, mining operations and auto
paint and body shops.

Fees will increase about 30 percent, and pay for new equipment and
increased operating costs at the county's Air Pollution Control District.
The district's construction and permit fees have remained the same since
1996, said Lakhmir Grewal, deputy air pollution control officer.

Allocated nearly $300,000 in Homeland Security grant funds to the Sheriff's
Department. The funds will buy six satellite radios, 13 thermal imaging
cameras, an explosives response truck, an explosives robot and
modifications to the county's hazardous materials response truck.