DISPENSARY FOR MEDICINAL MARIJUANA OKD

Contra Costa County's First Medicinal Marijuana Dispensary Will Be
Opened In Martinez.

The City Council approved an ordinance Wednesday night allowing
establishment of the dispensary on the condition that it be 1,000 feet
away from any school or park and 300 feet away from any houses.

Councilwoman Barbara Woodburn said state Proposition 215, the
medicinal cannabis initiative, received the approval of 76 percent of
Martinez voters in 1996.

The police chief will enforce the city ordinance.

Medicinal marijuana users Sara Barker and Bobby Judd, both Martinez
residents, asked for the city's approval to set up a dispensary.

Judd said the nearest dispensary for patients with a doctor's
recommendation is in Berkeley. The applicants expect to begin looking
for a dispensary location next month.

When the dispensary opens, Judd said, doctors will be asked to specify
when and how much marijuana a patient is given. The council rejected a
proposal to allow home delivery of medicinal marijuana, but Judd said
the council may re-examine the idea in the future.