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Operators vie for medical marijuana
Only 3 dispensaries allowed in unincorporated areas of Alameda County

Karen Holzmeister Tri-Valley Herald

Oakland, CA June 29, 2005 -- The specter of legal medical marijuana dispensaries, operating under government controls in unincorporated Alameda County, prompted very different responses Tuesday.

Supervisors gave their second and final approval to plans that limit the number of outlets to three, set up a process for county Sheriff Charles Plummer to select the trio of operators, and place dozens of restrictions on everything from location to banning minors on the premises.

After the meeting, Plummer said he hopes to have applications for the three prized dispensary permits ready in three weeks.

Operators should be selected — and permits signed, sealed and delivered — by the end of July, Plummer explained, along with the understanding there will be no on-site smoking.

Im thinking back to 150 years ago, when the smoke rose from opium dens, Plummer said. There will be no consumption on the premises.

There are six dispensaries currently operating in Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo. The new county ordinance will permit only three medical marijuana dispensaries, but will add Castro Valley as one of the communities where a marijuana sales outlet could be located.

Last fall, there were seven dispensaries in Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo. Supervisors banned new clinics while the new regulations were researched and written.

In the interim, one of the Ashland facilities closed.

Jack Norton, who operates The Health Center (THC) on East 14th Street in Ashland, hopes to obtain one of those precious permits.

Norton attended Tuesdays meeting and said he plans to call the sheriffs department to be in line on the day when application forms are dispensed.

Hes already preparing to provide information for any background checks by the sheriffs department, has hired a new security firm to patrol the perimeter of his building, and is adding on-site bathrooms as required in the new ordinance.

The entire discussion Tuesday took only 15 minutes, but that was enough time for fiery differences to be voiced about federal versus state laws on marijuana use and sales.

San Lorenzo resident Peter Hagberg accused supervisors of flaunting federal restrictions against marijuana sales.