PLANNING COMMISSION GIVES THUMBS-UP TO MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

Commissioners Recommend Allowing Dispensaries, 3-2

If it were up to the Hesperia Planning Commission, the city would be
granting business licenses to medical marijuana facilities.

In a split decision, the commission voted Thursday night to recommend
that the Hesperia City Council pass a proposed code amendment put
forward by a medical marijuana advocacy group.

"With the ban in place, we have 12 dispensaries and they're not
regulated," commissioner Julie Jensen said. The city has had an
ordinance banning medical marijuana distribution dispensaries since
2005. "Banning medical marijuana isn't going to get rid of it."

"That's been our experience," Principal Planner Dave Reno
said.

In theory, the city could fine dispensaries away, as they can levy
fines up to $500 a day on dispensaries and their landlords.

Commissioners and medical marijuana proponents pointed to the current
dispensaries - all of which city officials say are operating without
business licenses - as an untapped source of sales tax or separate
special tax.

"You are going to be faced with a choice of making money off these
things or spending money" fighting the dispensaries, resident John
Douglas said.

Dozens of residents came out to the meeting to voice either their
support or opposition to the proposal, which would be passed to the
City Council for action later this fall no matter how the
commissioners voted.

"Hesperia has about 50 outlets for liquor, hard or soft," resident Al
Vogler said. "What is the image that you want to create for Hesperia?"

"I'm just asking for your compassion for people like me," quadriplegic
Stacy Miller said.

"I do believe that God made marijuana," Charity Meyer said, "but he
also made poison oak."

"Kids do not come into the dispensaries," Brian Novak said. "You
cannot get a (medical marijuana) card under age 18."

The medical marijuana issue has dominated much of the commission's
year since the West Coast Patients Group first requested the code
amendment in January.

Commissioner Paul Russ expressed a desire for the issue to be resolved
either by a referendum or a state agency.

"I think it should be regulated by the state," he said. "We should
have one rule, rather than the patchwork of local regulations."

Commissioner Bill Jensen said that "waiting for Sacramento to come to
the rescue is a nightmare."

"This community is not ready for this," Russ said.

"It's here, though," replied commission president Chris
Elvert.

The commission voted 3-2 for the West Coast Patients Group's proposed
amendment allowing dispensaries, with Russ and Commission Bill Muller
dissenting.

"The motion passes," Elvert told the medical marijuana advocates
gathered. "Good luck with the City Council."

The City Council is expected to take up the issue in October or
November.