[ShiningSkull]

Marijuana Task Force Update:
Keeping collectives at a safe distance

San Diego Government - City of San Diego
BY Landon Bright
Monday, 02 November 2009 18:17

Last Friday, the city of San Diego Medical Marijuana Task Force held its second-to-last meeting for the calendar year. The meeting focused on what the permitting process should be for dispensaries and how far collectives and cooperatives should be kept away from schools and each other.

Alex Kreit, chair of the committee, said the main recommendation to come out of last week’s meeting had to do with conditional use permits. Like the vast majority of other cities and counties in the state, the task force recommended that the city require dispensaries go through the conditional use permitting process. Smaller dispensaries would be reviewed using the Process 2 level, while larger dispensaries would be reviewed at the Process 3 level. Like the permitting processes imposed for other uses of real estate, the processes, ranging from 1-5, are classified based upon how rigorous the review is.

The task force also addressed where the dispensaries can be located in regards to schools and each other. They recommended that dispensaries be located at least 1,000 ft. from schools, and dispensaries no closer than 500 ft. from each other. Both distances are similar to what other cities and counties are currently using.

Last week’s meeting also featured a presentation by former mayoral candidate Steve Francis, who put together a poll measuring San Diegans feelings towards medical marijuana and how it’s supplied. Overall, the poll showed wide support for medical marijuana use, as long as it’s tightly regulated.

“I think that it shows what I’ve sensed to be the feeling in San Diego, that San Diegans don’t want to see collectives and cooperatives banned,” said Kreit. “The vast majority think it’s incredibly important that patients have safe access to their medicine, like they would to any other medicine. San Diegans realize there needs to be a legal method of access and that the method is collectives. I think there is also vast support that they need to be regulated. The poll seems to confirm what the task force has been thinking.”

The final agenda for this week’s meeting has not been released yet. But Kreit says the meeting will center on zoning issues--determining which zones will provide for marijuana dispensaries as an allowable use (presumably with a permit).

“I doubt we will get into a level of detail because the city has a fairly detailed zoning list. I suspect it will be along the lines of a general recommendation of the types of zones we will think are appropriate,” he said.

One interesting aspect that the task force is looking into has to deal with the nonprofit angle. The group is looking into having some kind of process where dispensaries would have to provide evidence that they plan to act as a non-profit. A recent crackdown by County DA Bonnie Dumanis brought up questions about whether local dispensaries were making a profit, something they are not supposed to be doing.


Marijuana Task Force Update: Keeping collectives at a safe distance

[Col. Kif]

Isn't it the Fed's job to determine if a non or not for profit is operating properly?

Can a city perform Federal or State level Audits on private business?

[cephas]

Yes, traditionally non-profit, or for-profit status is determined and enforced by the IRS.

MMJ seems to be exempt from a lot of traditions though....

[Smilodon]

The level 2 permitting was as good as it was going to get, I think it is fair, it is the same as "community gardens" which I thought was especially appropriate.

So far this has been a fair, responsible and responsive task force. I wondered when I first said I would join how the other members would be. Almost everyone of these guys just want to get the job done and done right.

[VooDoo Chile]

Originally Posted by Smilodon

The level 2 permitting was as good as it was going to get, I think it is fair, it is the same as "community gardens" which I thought was especially appropriate.

So far this has been a fair, responsible and responsive task force. I wondered when I first said I would join how the other members would be. Almost everyone of these guys just want to get the job done and done right.

Well there it is folks, straight from The Man's mouth! Er, um, key strokes.

[OldTroll]

ShiningSkull - - You sure do an excellent job of keeping us current on the latest clips. Thank you!

I've suggested to management that your pay be doubled.

-OT

[DankJews]

Smilodon Thanks For All The Wonderful Help You Are Bringin' To The SD Community!

.:Stay Medicated:.

[SDbudz]

I also want to say thanks to the collective rep Kim she seems to be there truely for the patients ,the task for has a large audience ,I think it was honorable of her to stay on subject and not get caught up in promoting herself or the collective she is associated with,lets hope the city council adopts the task forces proposals

[gmoney666]

all this won't matter one bit when it's legalized. Sad thing is that only the sick have a hard time getting weed! All these rules for what? What a waste of money and time.

[Smilodon]

I actually expressed that view to a couple of the task force members after the meeting. It seems very likely that one of the 4 initiatives out there is going to be passed next year. While the TF may be a waste of money, I for one like the idea of having something in the bank if something goes sour. The idea is redundancy. Ask any engineer about it, if your primary system fails you better have back-up somewhere. I will keep pushing on all levels in this struggle until we have the equity we deserve. Rather than talking about what won't work, please put your energy into something that will work.... By the time we are through we should have options coming out our ears.

[mikebig 9078]

Originally Posted by Smilodon

I actually expressed that view to a couple of the task force members after the meeting. It seems very likely that one of the 4 initiatives out there is going to be passed next year. While the TF may be a waste of money, I for one like the idea of having something in the bank if something goes sour. The idea is redundancy. Ask any engineer about it, if your primary system fails you better have back-up somewhere. I will keep pushing on all levels in this struggle until we have the equity we deserve. Rather than talking about what won't work, please put your energy into something that will work.... By the time we are through we should have options coming out our ears.

right on keep up the good fight

[VooDoo Chile]

Originally Posted by gmoney666

all this won't matter one bit when it's legalized. Sad thing is that only the sick have a hard time getting weed! All these rules for what? What a waste of money and time.

Yeah. Let's all just give up, right here, right now. Fuck it.

[Col. Kif]

Smilodon,

I noticed there is a glaring LACK of anything re: growing & Zoning.

Where are they going to allow large cultivation?

[Smilodon]

Large cultivation in SD is not on the table atm. In SD any outdoor grows must be in a locked and secure greenhouse, no large outdoor grows are contemplated.

It is likely that the 99 plant limit will be in effect for the obvious reasons. That was discussed as the limit for a collectives dispensary to have on hand, that is 99 mature and flowering plants. We will also be looking at whether or not all medicine for the coop must be grown in the County of SD.

Once the County gets into the discussion, they may open County land use for large cultivation, but I don't see the City endorsing anything like that soon.

[koudekirk]

Originally Posted by Smilodon

I actually expressed that view to a couple of the task force members after the meeting. It seems very likely that one of the 4 initiatives out there is going to be passed next year. While the TF may be a waste of money, I for one like the idea of having something in the bank if something goes sour. The idea is redundancy. Ask any engineer about it, if your primary system fails you better have back-up somewhere. I will keep pushing on all levels in this struggle until we have the equity we deserve. Rather than talking about what won't work, please put your energy into something that will work.... By the time we are through we should have options coming out our ears.

Thank you for speaking for our community in such an intelligent manner.

[Col. Kif]

Smilodon,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and answer questions.

So then they expect co-ops/collectives no matter how large thier membership to be restricted to 99 plants total? And do what??? pay cash for the balence imported into the city from other areas?

Limits have already been struck down as unconstitional.

Do you folks have any agricultural or mixed agricultural zoning within city limits?

Do any of these folks realize just how much (volume wise) a typical dispensary goes through weekly?

[OldTroll]

Originally Posted by Col. Kif

Do any of these folks realize just how much (volume wise) a typical dispensary goes through weekly?

How much volume does a typical dispensary go through weekly?

-OT

[Col. Kif]

Troll,

I'd like to see one of the larger Dispensaries pony that information up. I've known a couple budtenders but having not worked for a dispensary myself I cannot state exact numbers with any authority.

I do believe the amount of dried flower alone might shock some people.

[Westcoastbudda]

Please don't take this into offense, but it is not our business to know how much money these places make. If they have more patients then the other collectives then are probably doing a better job than others in SD.

Originally Posted by OldTroll

How much volume does a typical dispensary go through weekly?

-OT

[Smilodon]

The 99 plant limit only had to do with how many plants a dispensary could have in that location. Strictly speaking everyone in the collective is a grower, but those that do most of the growing do it elsewhere, as in their own gardens. Most dispensaries don't flower on site anyway, so the 99 limit will only apply to a few.

[Col. Kif]

Westcoastbudda,

I said nothing of how much money these folks make. What their salary is, is indeed no ones business.

What I asked is if a Dispensary would be willing to toss down some numbers as far as typical volume of dried flower.

Its pretty easy to guess but I was hoping someone would venture solid numbers, hopefully not identifying the Co-op/Collective the numbers came from.

Or do you think that is "Teasing" the LEO who read these forums?