75A - PH - MEDICAL MARIJUANA - PROHIBIT

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The three clubs issued permits in the "uptown" area had operated between two and five years, though. the fourth club on West Grand is a relative newcomer. The Lemon Drop Coffee shop on Telegraph is one of the more established clubs in the area, nicknamed "Oaksterdam," but it did. not receive a permit.. Owner Mark Belote said the well-stocked coffee shop will continue to sell its mochas and pastries, gelatos and cakes, but stop pot sales. "I want to do everything legally. I've always been honest with them., so we'll see what happens," he said. "I have an eight-year lease here, so the cafe will stay open." 1~arry Carr of The Green Door dispensary on Webster Street said he fully expected to get a permit. The building met all code requirements and there were no complaints against the club. It opened last October with the blessing of the city, even. stating it was a cannabis dispensary on its business license. The city renewed its license in February. The Green Door is now seeking an injunction to stay open until it can. get a court hearing..lts owners contend the application process was fraudulent. Under the new rules, denial of permits cannot be appealed, Carroll said. The fu1a1 determination was made by City Administrator Deborah hdgerl.y, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday. As for those that continue to operate in violation, Carroll said, "the city is considering its options." Carroll said he will send final warning letters and may give them a short grace period. However, he noted, "all of those operating without permits are outside of the city's low policing priority with regards to medical marijuana, so the police could take action." The city will. review the new Hiles in six months. Jeff Jones, director of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative -- which issues identification cards but does not dispense -- said he has been advising clubs to follow the rules. "The city is our friend, and we are in this together. They are doing what they feel they need to do," Jones said. "I think the best practice is to close down quietly, and we'll spend the next six months lobbying to increase the limit." http'//www marijuana ors/OaklandTrib6-02-04.htm Marijuana Clubs Question Ethics Of City's Order To Close Friday, May 19, 2006 by Tom Lochner Contra Costa Times Richmond, CA -- With the crafting of a medical marijuana regulating ordinance stalled, the Richmond City Attorney's office has ordered the immediate closure of two cannabis clubs, the only ones known to operate in the city. One, Natural Remedies Health Collective on Macdonald Avenue, promptly closed. The other, Holistic Solutions on Hilltop Mall Road, remained open Thursday. Owner Ken Estes said he hopes to persuade Richmond officials and council. members that his business benefits both patients and the city at large. In acease-and-desist order dated May l 6, Assistant City Attorney Trisha Aljoe told Natural Remedies owner Linda Jackson that failure to comply will result in the filing of criminal charges. Estes said he received a similar letter. With no land-use standards permitting medical. marijuana dispensaries in th.e city, the letter reads, "your continued marijuana operation is in clear violation of the Richmond .Municipal Code and constitutes both a public nuisance per se, as well as a criminal misdemeanor." 3ackson closed her shop Wednesday, but on Thursday, she questioned the legality and ethics of the city's order. "This is taking away my livelihood and putting my patients in. harm's way," said Jackson. 53 75A-62