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Politics & Government

Cerritos' Planning Commission Recommends Prohibiting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

City staff member says potential ban "protects the public's health, safety and welfare."

The Cerritos Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend to the that it should prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries in all zones within the city.

During its Wednesday, Feb. 16 meeting, members of the Commission voted, 5-0, after the issue was under review for more than two years.

Management analyst Ryan Carey said the city’s staff recommended the Commission vote in favor of the prohibition ordinance in-part because it “protects the public’s health, safety and welfare.”

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When asked by a Commissioner, “Are there any medical marijuana dispensaries currently located in Cerritos?” Carey said, “Not to my knowledge.”

Another reason cited to explain the Commission's vote to prohibit dispensaries was potential ancillary crime increases. Torrey Contreras, director of community development, discussed a 2009 report by the California Police Chiefs Association’s Task Force on Marijuana Dispensaries titled, “White Paper on Marijuana Dispensaries.”

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Contained in the report, were a myriad of reasons highlighting why medical dispensaries carry “negative consequences.” The Chief’s Association cites armed robberies, murder, lax marijuana medical card requirements and organized crime as specific issues associated with dispensaries.

In fact, more than 30 members of law enforcement signed the White Paper and state as their goal, “… bringing to light the criminal nexus and attendant societal problems posed by marijuana dispensaries that until now have been too often hidden in the shadows.”

Carey said the city has been following the issue since 2009, when it first adopted an emergency ordinance which imposed a 45-day moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in all zones of the city.

According to the meeting’s Agenda Report, the City Council extended the moratorium on Oct. 8, 2009 for 10 months and 15 days and extended it again for one additional year on Aug. 10, 2010.

If the ordinance is implemented by the City Council, facilities governed under state law such as clinics, residential care and hospice homes would be exempt.

In 1996, California voters approved proposition 215, which legalized marijuana use for medicinal purposes.

The next Cerritos Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers. Planning Commission minutes, agendas and information can be accessed at www.cerritos.us.

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