Story Created:
Nov 5, 2009 at 10:40 AM PST
Story Updated:
Nov 5, 2009 at 10:40 AM PST
WHITTIER — A medical marijuana dispensary will officially be allowed in the city in 30 days following final approval by the City Council Oct. 27.
As on the first reading Oct. 13, final action came on a 3-2 vote with council members Joe Vinatieri and Cathy Warner dissenting.
The council action upheld a decision of the Planning Commission to grant a conditional use permit for a medical marijuana dispensing store at 8116 Byron Road, Suite D.
The Planning Commission approved the CUP Aug. 17 on a 4-1 vote. But Vinatieri called for a City Council review.
The request was from Dolores Enrique, doing business as Seventh and Hope. Owner of the site is RLJ Investment Properties. City ordinance allows such dispensaries in an industrial area.
The dispensary, with 10 employees, including two full-time security guards, will operate as a nonprofit entity in compliance with state law, officials said.
Jeff Collier, director of community development, in a written report to the City Council Oct. 13, said there are 10 units on the site with a total of 40 on-site parking spaces, one more than required by city code based on the size of buildings.
He said the dispensary itself will include 247 square feet of office space, 225 square feet of sales and display area, a 188-square-foot work room, a 162-square-foot public area and a 96-square-foot restroom area.
All patients will be issued membership cards authorized by a licensed doctor and will pass through a metal detector as they enter the store.
Collier said an employee will distribute marijuana to customers based on the state limit of one-half pound of dry, ready to be used marijuana.
Operating hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. Sunday.
Collier said the dispensary location complies with city restrictions on distance from homes or other sensitive land uses. Each unit in the building will have its own air conditioning system so smoke cannot drift to other parts of the building.
Although legal under state law, such places violate federal law. However, the Obama administration has announced it won’t bother dispensaries which are operated as nonprofits under state law.
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