Westminster Medical Marijuana Crackdown Article

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Westminster Medical Marijuana Crackdown

On December 3, 2009 the Code Enforcement Department of Westminster set out with police to notify eight (8) medical marijuana dispensaries, within the city limits, that they are operating illegally.

Author: Colby

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Though officials at City Hall will take no clear stand on the issue, constituents have raised enough attention to the matter to get the city to side with Federal guidelines. Owners of the above mentioned eight medical marijuana clinics were in violation of either one of two city codes: a) the business owner was not operating with an approved city business license or b) the business owner was not operating business under the guidelines that their business license permits (in one case, the license used was to sell dried floral arrangements). In the city’s business license code it states that a business is in violation if , “The business or occupation for which a license is requested is prohibited by federal, state or local law or would be in conflict with the Constitution and laws of California or the United States…”(5.08.040 License Denial).
It seems as though medical marijuana facilities are in a “catch 22”.

If they operate with a business license they are open to the scrutiny of the community and are in danger of violating city code because there is no license currently, in the majority of cities, to operate such a business or they may decide to operate under the radar of the city and not obtain a business license at all. Either way there is still no resolve for clinic owners and more importantly for patients who look to the city to provide them with a safe convenient solution to obtain medical marijuana. Although Westminster has not filed any charges against operators of these clinics, all were notified to cease the sale of marijuana in the city; if they so wished, comply with the conditions of their permit, or move somewhere else. Building owners have been notified of the city’s decision as well and should their tenants decide to remain open, further legal action may be taken.

For now, Westminster is off limits for medical marijuana; to address the issue, let Westminster City Council know where you stand. There is an “Oral Comments” section at the end of every meeting where the Council invites oration, on any topic, from the public. Don’t expect these clinics to go quietly, obviously they have some questions as to how permanent this really is.

Long Beach Medical Marijuana
Long Beach Caregivers

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Southern California Marijuana Activist.

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