DISPENSARIES BANNED IN BRENTWOOD

BRENTWOOD - Tuesday night, the Brentwood City Council unanimously
approved a permanent ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in the
city. Police Capt. Brian Strock and Brentwood Planning Manager Heidi
Klein made a presentation on the ordinance before the voting.

California voters approved Proposition 215 in 1996, making marijuana
legal for medicinal purposes while possession of marijuana remains
illegal under federal law. City code neither allows nor explicitly
prevents the presence of such dispensaries in Brentwood. Just last
year the city council approved a temporary ban pending investigation
of negative impacts of facilities on neighborhoods and communities.

What the year long investigation proved was an increase in crime and
illegal marijuana use and possession. The detailed search included
over 14 months of consultations, surveys, and detailed research on
the negative effects in connection to dispensaries. Armed robberies,
violence, illegal sales and consumption are among the most prevalent
negative effects reported.

The ordinance states, "Prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries ...
are necessary and appropriate to maintain and protect the public
health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Brentwood." The
ordinance would not ban health care facilities, residential care
facilities, hospice, or state-licensed clinics. The new ordinance was
passed quickly, with discussions and questions cut short. A second
reading of the ordinance will be completed at a later meeting.

The permanent ban will go into effect 30 days following that second
reading. Brentwood police have seen a rise in drug related crimes. A
handful of growing operations in the past year alone have been shut
down. Such businesses were proven to effect health, safety and
welfare of communities in and around the area.