The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About09.0- Public Comment Americans For Safe Access AN ORGANIZATION OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS,SCIENTISTS,AND PATIENTS HELPING PATIENTS MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSING COLLECTIVES AND LOCAL REGULATION Entered Into Rec. at MCCI C Mtg: 51 Agenda Item No• 0 1 r M r icy I UCII 1 101 U i by: . � SafeAccess City Cler CDC Secretary Advancing Legal Medical Marijuana Therapeutics and Research City of San Bernardino MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSING COLLECTIVES AND LOCAL REGULATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction....................................................................................................................1 OVERVIEW Aboutthis Report...........................................................................................................2 t About Americans for Safe Access..................................................................................2 The National Political Landscape...................................................................................2 History of Medical Cannabis in California....................................................................3 What is a Medical Cannabis Dispensing Collective?....................................................3 Rationale for Medical Cannabis Dispensing Collectives..............................................4 Medical Cannabis Dispensing Collectives are Legal Under State Law........................4 Why Patients Need Convenient Dispensaries...............................................................4 What Communities are Doing to Help Patients...........................................................5 IMPACT OF DISPENSARIES AND REGULATIONS ON COMMUNITIES Dispensaries Reduce Crime and Improve Public Safety...............................................6 Why Diversion of Medical Cannabis is Typically Not a Problem.................................7 Dispensaries Can Be Good Neighbors...........................................................................8 BENEFITS OF DISPENSARIES TO THE PATIENT COMMUNITY Dispensaries Provide Many Benefits to the Sick and Suffering ..................................9 Research Supports the Dispensary Model...................................................................10 Many Dispensaries Provide Key Health and Social Services......................................10 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................12 Recommendations for Ordinances..............................................................................13 Resources for More Information.................................................................................16 APPENDIX A List of City and County Ordinances.............................................................................17 APPENDIX B Guide for Evaluating Proposed Dispensary Ordinances in California.......................18 APPENDIX C California Attorney General's Guidelines for Dispensaries.......................................19 APPENDIX D ModelOrdinance..........................................................................................................22 For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. Americans For ORGANIZATION AN California's original medical cannabis law, the Benefits of regulated dispensaries to Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Prop. 215), communities include: encouraged state and federal governments . providing access for the most seriously ill to develop programs for safe and affordable and injured, distribution of medical cannabis (marijuana). . offering a safer environment for patients Although self-regulated medical cannabis than having to buy on the illicit market, dispensing collectives (dispensaries) have . improving the health of patients through existed for more than 14 years in California, social support, the passage of state legislation (SB 420) in . helping patients with other social 2003, court rulings in People v Urziceanu p g p (2005) and County of Butte v. Superior Court services, such as food and housing, (2009), and guidelines from the state ' having a greater than average customer Attorney General, all recognized and satisfaction rating for health care. affirmed their status as legal entities under Creating dispensary regulations combats state law.With most of the 300,000 cannabis crime because: patients in California relying on dispensaries . dispensary security reduces crime in the for their medicine, local officials across the vicinity, state are developing regulatory ordinances . street sales tend to decrease, that address business licensing, zoning, and . patients and operators are vigilant other safety and operational requirements any criminal activity is reported to police. that meet the needs of patients and the community. Regulated dispensaries are: • legal under California state law, Americans for Safe Access, the leading • helping revitalize neighborhoods, national organization representing the . bringing new customers to neighboring interests of medical cannabis patients and businesses, their doctors, has undertaken a study of the . not a source of community complaints. experience of those communities that have dispensary ordinances to act as a guide to This report concludes with a section outlining policy makers tackling dispensary regulations the important elements for local officials to in their communities. The report that follows consider as they move forward with details those experiences, as related by local regulations for dispensaries. ASA has worked officials; it also covers some of the political background and current legal status of successfully with officials across the state to dispensaries, outlines important issues to craft ordinances that meet the state's legal consider in drafting dispensary regulations, requirements, as well as the needs of and summarizes a recent study by a patients and the larger community. University of California, Berkeley researcher on the community benefits of dispensaries. Please contact us if you have questions: In short, this report describes: 888-929-4367. For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 1 MEDICAL CANNABIS ' 1 L OVERVIEW OF z "As the number of patients in the state of California who rely upon medical cannabis for their treatment continues to grow, it is increasingly imperative that cities and counties address the issue of dispensaries in our respective communities. In the city of Oakland we recognized this need and adopted an ordinance which balances patients'need for safe access to treatment while reassuring the community that these dispensaries are run right.A tangential benefit of the dispensaries has been that they have helped to stimulate economic development in the areas where they are located." —Desley Brooks, Oakland City Councilmember ABOUT THIS REPORT but city and county officials are also consider- Land-use decisions are now part of the imple- ing how to arrive at the most effective regula- mentation of California's medical marijuana, tions for their community, ones that respect or cannabis, laws. As a result, medical cannabis the rights of patients for safe and legal access dispensing collectives (dispensaries) are the within the context of the larger community. subject of considerable debate by planning and other local officials. Dispensaries have ABOUT AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS been operating openly in many communities Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest since the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996. national member-based organization of As a compassionate, community-based patients, medical professionals, scientists and response to the problems patients face in try- concerned citizens promoting safe and legal ing to access cannabis, dispensaries are cur- rently used by more than half of all patients in the state and are essential to those most seri- research. ASA works in partnership with state, ously ill or injured. Since 2003, when the legis- local and national legislators to overcome bar- lature further implemented state law by riers and create policies that improve access to expressly addressing the issue of patient col- cannabis for patients and researchers. We lectives and compensation for cannabis, more have more than 50,000 active members with dispensaries have opened and more communi- chapters and affiliates in all 50"states. ties have been faced with questions about business permits and land use options. THE NATIONAL POLITICAL LANDSCAPE In an attempt to clarify the issues involved, A substantial majority of Americans support Americans for Safe Access has conducted a safe and legal access to medical cannabis. survey of local officials in addition to continu- Public opinion polls in every part of the coun- ously tracking regulatory activity throughout try show majority support cutting across politi- the state (see America nsForSafeAccess.org/reg- cal and demographic lines. Among them, a ulations). The report that follows outlines Time/CNN poll in 2002 showed 80% national some of the underlying questions and pro- support, a survey of AARP members in 2004 vides an overview of the experiences of cities showed 72% of older Americans support legal and counties around the state. In many parts access, with those in the western states polling of California, dispensaries have operated 82% in favor. The two largest physician-based responsibly and provided essential services to professional organizations in the U.S., the the most needy without local intervention, American Medical Association and the For more information,see www.AmeriGansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 2 American College of Physicians, have urged patients such as the Emmy-winning talkshow the federal government to reconsider its reg- host Montel Williams and music artist Melissa ulatory classification of cannabis. Etheridge has also increased public awareness For decades, the federal government has and helped to create political pressure for maintained the position that cannabis has no changes in state and federal policies. medical value, despite the overwhelming evi- dence of marijuana's medical efficacy and the HISTORY OF MEDICAL CANNABIS IN broad public support for its use. Not to be CALIFORNIA deterred, Americans have turned to state- Since 1996, when 56% of California voters based solutions. The laws passed by voters approved the Compassionate Use Act (CUA), and legislators are intended to mitigate the public support for safe and legal access to effects of the federal government's prohibi- medical cannabis has steadily increased. A tion on medical cannabis by allowing quali- statewide Field poll in 2004 found that "three fied patients to use it without state or local in four voters (74%)favors implementation of interference. the law." In 2003, the state legislature recog- Fifteen states have adopted medical marijua- nized that the Compassionate Use Act (CUA) na laws in the U.S. Beginning with California gave little direction to local officials, which in 1996, voters passed initiatives in nine states greatly impeded the safe and legal access to plus the District of Columbia—Alaska, medical cannabis envisioned by voters. Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Legislators passed Senate Bill 420, the Medical Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Marijuana Program (MMP)Act, which provid- State legislatures followed suit, with elected ed a greater blueprint for the implementation officials in Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New of California's medical cannabis law. Since the Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont taking passage of the MMP, ASA has been responsi- action to protect patients from criminal penal- ble for multiple landmark court cases, includ- ty. Understanding the need to address safe ing City of Garden Grove v. Superior Court, and affordable access to medical cannabis, County of San Diego v. San Diego NORML, Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, New and County of Butte v. Superior Court. Such Jersey, New Mexico, and Rhode Island all cases affirm and expand the rights granted by adopted local or state laws that regulate its the CUA and MMP, and at the same time help production and distribution. local officials better implement state law. Despite Gonzales v. Raich, a U.S. Supreme In August 2008, California's Attorney General Court ruling in 2005 that gave government issued a directive to law enforcement on state the discretion to enforce federal cannabis medical marijuana law. In addition to review- laws even in medical cannabis states, more ing the rights and responsibilities of patients states continue to adopt laws each year. and their caregivers, the guidelines affirmed With the election of President Barack Obama, the legality of storefront dispensaries and outlined a set of requirements for state law a new approach to medical cannabis is taking shape. In October 2009, the Justice Depart- compliance. The attorney general guidelines Iment issued guidelines discouraging U.S. also represent a roadmap by which local off i- Attorneys cials can develop regulatory ordinances for Attorneys from investigating and prosecuting dispensaries. medical cannabis cases. While this new policy specifically addresses enforcement, ASA con- tinues to work with Congress and the WHAT IS A MEDICAL CANNABIS President to push for expanded research and DISPENSING COLLECTIVE? protection for all medical cannabis in the U.S. The majority of medical marijuana (cannabis) The public advocacy of well-known cannabis patients cannot cultivate their medicine for For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 3 1 ny themselves and cannot find a caregiver to directed health care that is becoming a proto- grow it for them. Most of California's estimat- type for the delivery of other health services. ed 300,000 patients obtain their medicine from a Medical Cannabis Dispensing MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARIES ARE Collective (MCDC), often referred to as a "dis- LEGAL UNDER STATE LAW pensary." Dispensaries are typically storefront facilities that provide medical cannabis and In an effort to clarify the voter initiative of other services to patients in need. As of early 1996 and aid in its implementation across the 2011, ASA estimatees there are approximately state, the California legislature passed the 2,000 medical cannabis dispensaries in Medical Marijuana Program Act (MMP), or California. Senate Bill 420, in 2003, establishing that qual- ified patients and primary caregivers may col- Dispensaries operate with a closed member- lectively or cooperatively cultivate and ship that allows only qualified patients and distribute cannabis for medical purposes (Cal. primary caregivers to obtain cannabis, and Health & Safety Code section 11362.775). The only after membership is approved (upon ver- Act also exempts collectives and cooperatives ification of patient documentation). Many dis- from criminal sanctions associated with "sales" pensaries offer on-site consumption, and maintaining a place where sales occur. providing a safe and comfortable place where patients can medicate. An increasing number In 2005, California's Third District Court of of dispensaries offer additional services for Appeal affirmed the legality of collectives and their patient membership, including such serv- cooperatives in the landmark case of People v. ices as: massage, acupuncture, legal trainings, Urziceanu, which held that the MMP provides free meals, or counseling. Research on the collectives and cooperatives a defense to mar- social benefits for patients is discussed in the ijuana distribution charges. Another landmark last section of this report. decision from the Third District Court of Appeal in the case of County of Butte v. RATIONALE FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS Superior Court(2009) not only affirmed the legality of collectives but also found that col- lective members could contribute financially While the Compassionate Use Act does not without having to directly participate in the explicitly discuss medical cannabis dispen- cultivation. saries, it calls for the federal and state govern- In August 2008, the State Attorney General ments to "implement a plan to provide for issued guidelines declaring that "a properly the safe and affordable distribution of mari- organized and operated collective or coopera- juana to all patients in medical need of mari- tive that dispenses medical marijuana through juana." (Health & Safety Code § 11362.5) This a storefront may be lawful under California portion of the law has been the basis for the law." The Attorney General provided law development of compassionate, community- enforcement with a list of operational prac- based systems of access for patients in various tices for collectives to help ensure compliance parts of California. In some cases, that has with state law. By adhering to a set of rules— collectives that allow those with cultivation meant the creation of patient-run growing including not-for-profit operation, the collec- tion of sales tax, and the verification of expertise to help other patients obtain medi- patient status for collective members�fispen- tings, that has meant the establishment of cine. In most cases, particularly in urban set- saries can operate lawfully and maintain legit- imacy. In addition, local officials can use the medical cannabis dispensing collectives, or dis- Attorney General guidelines to help them pensaries.These dispensaries are typically adopt local regulatory ordinances. organized and run by groups of patients and their caregivers in a collective model of patient- In September 2010, the California Legislature For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 4 1 enacted Assembly Bill 2650, which states that community at large are being met. As of medical marijuana dispensaries must be locat- January 2011, forty-two cities and nine coun- ed further than 600-foot from a school. By ties have enacted regulations, and many more recognizing "a medical marijuana coopera- are considering doing so soon. tive, collective, dispensary, operator, establish- Officials recognize their duty to implement ment, or provider that is authorized by law to state laws, even in instances when they may possess, cultivate, or distribute medical mari- not have previously supported medical Juana and that has a storefront or mobile cannabis legislation. Duke Martin, former retail outlet which ordinarily requires a local business license," the Legislature has mayor pro tem of Ridgecrest said during a city council hearing on their local dispensary ordi- expressed its intent that storefront dispen- saries and delivery services are legal under will uphold the law." California law. This understanding of civic obligation was WHY PATIENTS NEED CONVENIENT echoed at the Ridgecrest hearing by Council- DISPENSARIES member Ron Carter, now Mayor Pro Tem, who said, "I want to make sure everything is legiti- mate and above board. It's legal. It's not some- . or injuries have the time, space, and skill to thing we can stop, but we can have an cultivate their own cannabis, the majority of ordinance of regulations." patients, particularly those in urban settings, do not have the ability to produce it them- Similarly, Whittier Planning Commissioner R.D. selves. For those patients, dispensaries are the McDonnell spoke publicly of the benefits of only option for safe and legal access. This is all dispensary regulations at a city government the more true for those individuals who are hearing. "It provides us with reasonable pro- suffering from a sudden, acute injury or illness. tections," he said. "But at the same time pro- vides the opportunity for the legitimate Many of the most serious and debilitating operations." injuries and illnesses require immediate relief. A cancer patient, for instance, who has just Whittier officials discussed the possibility of an begun chemotherapy will typically need outright ban on dispensary operations, but immediate access for help with nausea, which Greg Nordback said, "It was the opinion of is why a Harvard study found that 45% of our city attorney that you can't ban them; it's oncologists were already recommending against the law. You have to come up with an cannabis to their patients, even before it had area they can be in." Whittier passed its dis- been made legal in any state. It is unreason- pensary ordinance in December 2005. able to exclude those patients most in need Placerville Police Chief George Nielson com- simply because they are incapable of garden- mented that, "The issue of medical marijuana ing or cannot wait months for relief. continues to be somewhat controversial in our community, as I suspect and hear it WHAT COMMUNITIES ARE DOING TO remains in other California communities. The HELP PATIENTS issue of 'safe access' is important to some and Many communities in California have recog- not to others. There was some objection to nized the essential service that dispensaries the dispensary ordinance, but I would say it provide and have either tacitly allowed their was a vocal minority on the issue." operation or adopted ordinances regulating them. Dispensary regulation is one way in which the cities can exert local control and ensure that the needs of patients and the i i For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 5 IMPACT ' DISPENSARIES 1 , REGULATORY , ' , 1 'LON COMMUNITIES IN CALIFORNIA DISPENSARIES REDUCE CRIME AND for their members and staff more seriously IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY than many businesses. Security cameras are Some reports have suggested that dispen- often used both inside and outside the prem- saries are magnets for criminal activity and ises, and security guards are often employed other undesirable behavior, which poses a to ensure safety. Both cameras and security problem for the community. But the experi- guards serve as a general deterrent to crimi- ence of those cities with dispensary regula- nal activity and other problems on the street. tions says otherwise. Crime statistics and the Those likely to engage in such activities tend accounts of local officials surveyed by ASA to move to a less-monitored area, thereby indicate that crime is actually reduced by the ensuring a safe environment not only for dis- presence of a dispensary. And complaints pensary members and staff but also for neigh- from citizens and surrounding businesses are bors and businesses in the surrounding area. either negligible or are significantly reduced Residents in areas surrounding dispensaries with the implementation of local regulations. have reported improvements to the neighbor- This trend has led multiple cities and counties hood. Kirk C., a long time San Francisco resi- to consider regulation as a solution. Kern dent, commented at a city hearing, "I have County, which passed a dispensary ordinance lived in the same apartment along the in July 2006, is a case in point. The sheriff Divisadero corridor in San Francisco for the there noted in his staff report that "regulato- past five years. Each store that has opened in ry oversight at the local levels helps prevent my neighborhood has been nicer, with many crime directly and indirectly related to illegal new restaurants quickly becoming some of operations occurring under the pretense and the city's hottest spots. My neighborhood's protection of state laws authorizing Medical crime and vandalism seems to be going down Marijuana Dispensaries." Although dispensa- year after year. It strikes me that the dispen- ry-related crime has not been a problem for saries have been a vital part of the improve- the county, the regulations will help law ment that is going on in my neighborhood." enforcement determine the legitimacy of dis- Oakland's city administrator who was respon- pensaries and their patients. sible for the ordinance regulating dispen- The sheriff specifically pointed out that, saries, Barbara Killey, noted that "The areas "existing dispensaries have not caused notice- around the dispensaries may be some of the able law enforcement problems or secondary safest areas of Oakland now because of the effects for at least one year. As a result, the level of security, surveillance, etc...since the focus of the proposed Ordinance is narrowed ordinance passed." to insure Dispensary compliance with the Likewise, former Santa Rosa Mayor Jane law" (Kern County Staff Report, Proposed Bender noted that since the city passed its Ordinance Regulating Medical Cannabis ordinance, there appears to be "a decrease in Dispensaries, July 11, 2006). criminal activity. There certainly has been a The presence of a dispensary in the neighbor- decrease in complaints. The city attorney says hood can actually improve public safety and there have been no complaints either from reduce crime. Most dispensaries take security citizens or from neighboring businesses." For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 6 Neighboring Sebastopol has had a similar pensaries and increased local crime can be experience. Despite public opposition to med- seen in data from Los Angeles and San Diego. ical cannabis dispensaries, Sebastopol Police During the two-year period from 2008 to Chief Jeffrey Weaver admitted that for more 2010 in which Los Angeles saw the prolifera- than two years, "We've had no increased crime tion of more than 500 dispensaries, the over- associated [with Sebastopol's medical cannabis all crime rate in the city dropped considerably. dispensary], no fights, no loitering, no increase A study commissioned by Los Angeles Police in graffiti, no increase in littering, zip." Chief Charlie Beck, comparing the number of crimes in 2009 at the city's banks and medical marijuana dispensaries, found that 71 rob- "The parade of horrors that everyone predicted beries had occurred at the more than 350 banks in the city, compared to 47 robberies at has not materialized.The sky has not fallen.To the more than 500 medical marijuana facili- the contrary...California jurisdictions have ties. Chief Beck observed that, "banks are more likely to get robbed than medical mari- shown that having medical cannabis in place juana dispensaries," and that the claim that does not impact...public safety." —San dispensaries attract crime "doesn't really bear Francisco Supervisor David Campos out." In San Diego, where some officials have made similar allegations about increased crime associated with dispensaries, an exami- Those dispensaries that go through the per- nation of city police reports by a local paper, miffing process or otherwise comply with the San Diego City Beat, found that as of late local ordinances tend, by their very nature, to 2009 the number of crimes in areas with dis- be those most interested in meeting commu- pensaries was frequently lower than it was nity standards and being good neighbors. before the dispensary opened or, at worst, Many local officials surveyed by ASA said dis- stayed the same. pensaries operating in their communities have presented no problems, or what problems WHY DIVERSION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS there may have been significantly diminished IS TYPICALLY NOT A PROBLEM once an ordinance or other regulation was One of the concerns of public officials is that instituted. dispensaries make possible or even encourage Several officials said that regulatory ordi- the resale of cannabis on the street. But the nances had significantly improved relations experience of those cities that have instituted with other businesses and the community at ordinances is that such problems, which are large. An Oakland city council staff member rare in the first place, quickly disappear. In noted that prior to adopting a local ordinance addition to being monitored by law enforce- the city had received reports of break-ins. ment, dispensaries universally have strict rules However, the council staff member said that about how members are to behave in and with the adoption of Oakland's dispensary around the facility. Many have "good neigh- ordinance, "That kind of activity has stopped. bor" trainings for their members that empha- That danger has been eliminated." Assistant size sensitivity to the concerns of neighbors, City Administrator Arturo Sanchez, a nuisance and all dispensaries absolutely prohibit the enforcement officer, affirmed that since 2004 resale of cannabis. Anyone violating that pro- he has "never received a nuisance complaint hibition is typically banned from any further concerning lawfully established medical mari- contact with the dispensary. juana dispensaries in Oakland...[or] had to As Oakland's city administrator for the regula- initiate an enforcement action." tory ordinance explains, "dispensaries them- The absence of any connection between dis- selves have been very good at self policing For more information,see www.AmedcansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 7 against resale because they understand they ply because new people are coming to access can lose their permit if their patients resell." services, increasing foot traffic past other establishments. In many communities, the In the event of an illegal resale, local law enforcement has at its disposal all of the opening of a dispensary has helped revitalize many legal penalties provided by the state. an area. While patients tend to opt for dis- This all adds up to a safer street environment pensaries that are close and convenient, par- ' with fewer drug-related problems than titularly since travel can be difficult, many before dispensary operations were permitted patients will travel to dispensary locations in in the area. The experience of the City of parts of town they would not otherwise visit. Oakland is a good example of this phenome- Even if patients are not immediately utilizing non. The city's legislative analyst, Lupe the services or purchasing the goods offered Schoenberger, stated that, "...[P]eople feel by neighboring businesses, they are more like- saferwhen they're walking down the street. ly to eventually patronize those businesses The level of marijuana street sales has signifi- cantly reduced." ASA's survey of officials whose cities have passed dispensary regulations found that the -- vast majority of businesses either adjoining or "The areas around the dispensaries may be near dispensaries had reported no problems some of the most safest areas of Oakland now associated with a dispensary opening after I because of the level of security, surveillance, etc. the implementation of regulation. since the ordinance passed." Kriss Worthington, longtime councilmember —Barbara Killey, Oakland in Berkeley, said in support of a dispensary there, "They have been a responsible neigh- bor and vital organization to our diverse com- Dispensaries operating with the permission of munity. Since their opening, they have done the city are also more likely to appropriately an outstanding job keeping the building utilize law enforcement resources themselves, clean, neat, organized and safe. In fact, we reporting any crimes directly to the appropri- have had no calls from neighbors complaining ate agencies. And, again, dispensary operators about them, which is a sign of respect from and their patient members tend to be more the community. In Berkeley, even average safety conscious than the general public, restaurants and stores have complaints from resulting in great vigilance and better pre- neighbors." emptive measures. The reduction of crime in Mike Rotkin, councilmember and former areas around dispensaries has been reported mayor for the City of Santa Cruz, said about anecdotally by law enforcement in several communities. the dispensary that opened there last year, "The immediately neighboring businesses have been uniformly supportive or neutral. DISPENSARIES CAN BE GOOD NEIGHBORS There have been no complaints either about Medical cannabis dispensing collectives are establishing it or running it." typically positive additions to the neighbor- hoods in which they locate, bringing addition- And Dave Turner, Mayor of Fort Bragg, noted al customers to neighboring businesses and that before the passage of regulations there reducing crime in the immediate area. were "plenty of complaints from both neigh- boring businesses and concerned citizens," Like any new business that serves a different but since then, it is no longer a problem. customer base than the existing businesses in Public officials understand that, when it the area, dispensaries increase the revenue of comes to dispensaries, they must balance both other businesses in the surrounding area sim- the humanitarian needs of patients and the For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 8 concerns of the public, especially those of foremost, problems that may seem inevitable neighboring residents and business owners. never arise." Oakland City Councilmember Nancy J. Nadel Barbara Killey adds, "Dispensaries themselves wrote in an open letter to her fellow col- have been very good at self policing against leagues across the state, "Local government resale because they understand they can lose has a responsibility to the medical needs of its their permit if their patients resell." people, even when it's not a politically easy choice to make. We have found it possible to Mike Rotkin of Santa Cruz stated that since the build regulations that address the concerns of city enacted an ordinance for dispensarys, neighbors, local businesses, law enforcement "Things have calmed down. The police are and the general public, while not compromis- happy with the ordinance, and that has made ing the needs of the patients themselves. things a lot easier. I think the fact that we took We've found that by working with all inter- the time to give people who wrote us respect- ested parities in advance of adopting an ordi- ful and detailed explanations of what we were nance while keeping the patients' needs doing and why made a real difference." OF DISPENSARIES TO THE PATIENT COMMUNITY DISPENSARIES PROVIDE MANY BENEFITS healthcare issue, requiring the involvement TO THE SICK AND SUFFERING and leadership of local departments of public Safe and legal access to cannabis is the reason health. A pro-active healthcare-based dispensaries have been created by patients approach can effectively address problems and caregivers around the state. For many before they arise, and communities can people, dispensaries remove significant barri- design methods for safe, legal access to med- ers to obtaining cannabis. Patients in urban ical marijuana while keeping the patients' areas with no space to cultivate cannabis, needs foremost." those without the requisite gardening skills to West Hollywood Mayor John Duran agreed, grow their own, and, most critically, those noting that with the high number of HIV-pos- who face the sudden onset of a serious illness itive residents in the area, "Some of them or who have suffered a catastrophic illness- all tend to rely on dispensaries as a compas- require medical marijuana to offset the med- sionate community-based solution ications they take for HIV." Jane Bender, for- , ty ut on as a preferable alternative to potentially danger- mer mayor of Santa Rosa, says, "There are ous illicit market transactions. legitimate patients in our community, and I'm glad they have a safe means of obtaining Many elected officials in California recognize their medicine." the importance of dispensaries to their con- stituents. As Nathan Miley, former Oakland And Mike Rotkin of Santa Cruz said that this City councilmember and now Alameda is also an important matter for his city's citi- County supervisor said in a letter to his col- zens: "The council considers it a high priority leagues, "When designing regulations, it is and has taken considerable heat to speak out crucial to remember that at its core this is a and act on the issue." For more information,see www,Americans1,,1,1e1,,.or,or contact the I,office at 1 888 929 4367 or 510 251 1856. 9 It was a similar decision of social conscience considering the dispensaries' environment, that lead to Placerville's city council putting a staff, and services offered. The study found regulatory ordinance in place. Former that "medical cannabis patients have created Councilmember Marian Washburn told her a system of dispensing medical cannabis that .„H, colleagues that "as you get older, you know also includes services such as counseling, people with diseases who suffer terribly, so entertainment and support groups, all impor- that is probably what I get down to after con- tant components of coping with chronic ill- sidering all the other components.” ness." She also found that levels of satisfaction with the care received at dispen- saries ranked significantly higher than those "There are legitimate patients in our reported for health care nationally. community, and I'm glad they have a safe Patients who use the dispensaries studied uni- formly reported being well satisfied with the means of obtaining their medicine." —Jane services they received, giving an 80% satisfac- Bender, Santa Rosa tion rating. The most important factors for patients in choosing a medical cannabis dis- pensary were: feeling comfortable and secure, While dispensaries provide a unique way for familiarity with the dispensary, and having a patients to obtain the cannabis their doctors rapport with the staff. In their comments, have recommended, they typically offer far patients tended to note the helpfulness and more that is of benefit to the health and wel- kindness of staff and the support found in the fare of those suffering from both chronic and presence of other patients. acute medical problems. Dispensaries are often called "clubs" in part MANY DISPENSARIES PROVIDE KEY because many of them offer far more than a HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES clinical setting for obtaining cannabis. Dispensaries offer many cannabis-related serv- e Recognizing the isolation that many seriously ices that patients cannot otherwise obtain. ill and injured people experience, many dis- Among them is an array of cannabis varieties, pensary operators choose to offer a wider some of which are more useful for certain array of social services, including everything afflictions than others, and staff awareness of from a place to congregate and socialize to what types of cannabis other patients report help with finding housing and offering meals. to be helpful. In other words, one variety of The social support patients receive in these cannabis may be effective for pain control settings has far-reaching benefits that also while another may be better for combating influences the development of other patient- nausea. Dispensaries allow for the pooling of based care models. information about these differences and the opportunity to access the type of cannabis RESEARCH SUPPORTS THE DISPENSARY likely to be most beneficial. MODEL Cannabis-related services include making A 2006 study by Amanda Reiman, Ph.D. of the cannabis available in other forms for patients School of Social Welfare at the University of who cannot or do not want to smoke it.While California, Berkeley examined the experience most patients prefer to have the ability to of 130 patients spread among seven different modulate the dosing that smoking easily dispensaries in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. allows, for others, the effects of extracts or edi- Reiman's study cataloged the patients' demo- ble cannabis products are preferable. Dispen- graphic information, health status, consumer saries typically offer a wide array of edible satisfaction, and use of services, while also products for those purposes. Many dispensaries For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 10 F also offer classes on how to grow your own 22% of those surveyed. cannabis, classes on legal matters, trainings for health-care advocacy, and other seminars. _ I Beyond providing safe and legal access to "Local government has a responsibility to the cannabis, the dispensaries studied also offer medical needs of its people, even when it's not important social services to patients, including counseling, help with housing and meals, hos- a politically easy choice to make.We have found pice and other care referrals. Among the it possible to build regulations that address the broader services the study found in dispen- saries are support groups, including groups concerns of neighbors, local businesses law for women, veterans, and men; creativity and enforcement and the general public, while not art groups, including groups for writers, quil- ters, crochet, and crafts; and entertainment compromising the needs of the patients options, including bingo, open mic nights, themselves.We've found that by working with poetry readings, internet access, libraries, and puzzles. Clothing drives and neighborhood all interested parities in advance of adopting an parties are among the activities that patients ordinance while keeping the patients' needs can also participate in through their dispensary. foremost, problems that may seem inevitable Examples of health services offered at dispen- never arise." saries across California: —Nancy Nadel, Oakland • Naturopathic medicine • Reiki • Ayurvedic medicine Dispensaries offer chronically ill patients even • Chinese medicine more than safe and legal access to cannabis • Chiropractic medicine and an array of social services. The study • Acupuncture found that dispensaries also provided other • Massage social benefits for the chronically ill, an impor- • Cranial Sachral Therapy tant part of the bigger picture: • Rolf ing Therapy Beyond the support that medical cannabis • Group & Individual Yoga Instruction patients receive from services is the sup- • Hypnotherapy port received from fellow patients, some • Homeopathy of whom are experiencing the same or • Western Herbalists similar physical/psychological symptoms.... • Individual Counseling It is possible that the mental health bene- • Integrative Health Counseling fits derived from the social support of fel- • Nutrition & Diet Counseling low patients is an important part of the • Limited Physical Therapy healing process, separate from the medici- • Medication Interaction Counseling nal value of the cannabis itself. • Condition-based Support Groups Several researchers and physicians who have Social services such as counseling and support studied the issue of the patient experience groups were reported to be the most com- with dispensaries have concluded that there monly and regularly used, with two-thirds of are other important positive effects stemming patients reporting that they use social services from a dispensary model that includes a com- at dispensaries 1-2 times per week. Also, life ponent of social support groups. services, such as free food and housing help, Dr. Reiman notes that, "support groups may were used at least once or twice a week by have the ability to address issues besides the For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 11 illness itself that might contribute to long- process. Many patients who have lost or are term physical and emotional health outcomes, losing friends and partners to terminal illness such as the prevalence of depression among report finding solace with other patients who the chronically ill." are also grieving or facing end-of-life deci- For those who suffer the most serious illness- sions. A medical study published in 1998 con- es, such as HIV/AIDS and terminal cancer, eluded that the patient-to-patient contact groups of people with similar conditions can associated with the social club model was the also help fellow patients through the grieving best therapeutic setting for ill people. CONCLUSION After more than 14 years of existence, dispen- appropriate law enforcement authorities. saries are proving to be an asset to the com- munitiesthey serve, as well as the larger More importantly, dispensaries benefit the community in which they operate. This is community by providing safe access for those especially the case when public officials who have the greatest difficulty getting the choose to implement local ordinances that medicine their doctors recommend: the most recognize the lawful operation of dispen- seriously ill and injured. Many dispensaries saries. Since the Medical Marijuana Program also offer essential services to patients, such as Act was enacted by the California legislature help with food and housing. in 2004, more than 50 localities have adopted Medical and public health studies have also ordinances regulating dispensaries. shown that the social-club model of most dis- By surveying local officials and monitoring pensaries is of significant benefit to the over- regulatory activity throughout the State of all health of patients. The result is that California, ASA has shown that once working medical cannabis patients rate their satisfac- regulatory ordinances are in place dispen- tion with dispensaries as far greater than the saries are typically viewed favorably by public customer-satisfaction ratings given to health officials, neighbors, businesses, and the com- care agencies in general. munity at large, and that regulatory ordi- nances can and do improve an area, both Public officials across the state, in both urban socially and economically. and rural communities, have been outspoken in praise of the dispensary regulatory schemes Dispensaries—now expressly legal under they enacted and the benefits to the patients California state law—are helping revitalize and others living in their communities. neighborhoods by reducing crime and bring- ing new customers to surrounding businesses. As a compassionate, community-based They improve public safety by increasing the response to the medical needs of more than security presence in neighborhoods, reducing 300,000 sick and suffering Californians, dis- illicit market marijuana sales, and ensuring pensaries, and the regulations under which that any criminal activity gets reported to the they operate, are working. For more information,see w vw.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 12 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DISPENSARY Cannabis dispensaries have been operating enforcement community. successfully in California for more than 14 Of the four members of the commission years with very few problems. And, although appointed by the City Council, two mem- the legislature and courts have acted to make tiers shall represent the interests of City dispensaries legal under state law, the ques- tion of how to implement appropriate zoning neighborhood associations or groups, one laws and business licensing is still coming member shall represent the interests of before local officials all across the state. What the medical marijuana community, and follows are recommendations on matters to one member shall represent the interests consider, based on adopted code as well as of the public health community. ASA's extensive experience working with I community leaders and elected officials. ADMINISTRATION OF DISPENSARY REGULATIONS ARE BEST HANDLED BY COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT HEALTH OR PLANNING DEPARTMENTS, 1 In order to appropriately resolve conflict in NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES � the community and establish a process by Reason: To ensure that qualified patients, which complaints and concerns can be caregivers, and dispensaries are protected, reviewed, it can often be helpful to create a general regulatory oversight duties- including community oversight committee. Such com- permitting, record maintenance and related mittees, if fair and balanced, can provide a protocols- should be the responsibility of the means for the voices of all affected parties to local department of public health (DPH) or be heard, and to quickly resolve problems. planning department. Given the statutory mission and responsibilities of DPH, it is the The Ukiah City Council created such a task the what follows is how they natural choice and best-suited agency to force in address the regulation of medical cannabis defined the group: dispensing collectives. Law enforcement agen- The Ukiah Medical Marijuana Review and cies are ill-suited for handling such matters, Oversight Commission shall consist of seven having little or no expertise in health and members nominated and appointed pur- medical affairs. suant to this section.The Mayor shall nomi- Examples of responsible agencies and officials: nate three members to the commission, and • Angels Camp--City Administrator the City Council shall appoint, by motion, . Citrus Heights—City Manager four other members to the commission... • Cotati—City Manager Of the three members nominated by the • Dunsmuir—Planning Commission Mayor, the Mayor shall nominate one • Eureka--Dept of Community Development member to represent the interests of City • Laguna Woods—City Manager neighborhood associations or groups, one • Long Beach—Financial Management member to represent the interests of med- • Los Angeles—Building and Safety ical marijuana patients, and one member • Malibu--City Manager to represent the interests of the law • Napa—City Council For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 13 • Palm Springs---City Manager • Tulare • Plymouth—City Administrator • Calaveras County • Sebastopol—Planning Department • Kern County • San Francisco—Dept. of Public Health • City and County of San Francisco • San Mateo—License Committee • San Mateo County • Santa Barbara—Community Development • Sonoma County • Selma—City Manager • Stockton—City Manager RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE DISPENSARIES • Visalia—City Planner CAN LOCATE ARE OFTEN UNNECESSARY AND CAN CREATE BARRIERS TO ACCESS ARBITRARY CAPS ON THE NUMBER OF Reason: As described in this report, regulated DISPENSARIES CAN BE COUNTER- dispensaries do not generally increase crime PRODUCTIVE or bring other harm to their neighborhoods, Reason: Policymakers do not need to set arbi- regardless of where they are located. And trary limitations on the number of dispensing since travel is difficult for many patients, cities collectives allowed to operate because, as and counties should take care to avoid unnec- with other services, competitive market forces essary restrictions on where dispensaries can and consumer choice will be decisive. locate. Patients benefit from dispensaries Dispensaries that provide quality care and being convenient and accessible, especially if patient services to their memberships will the patients are disabled or have conditions flourish, while those that do not will fail. that limit their mobility. Capping the number of dispensaries limits It is unnecessary and burdensome for patients consumer choice, which can result in both and providers to restrict dispensaries to indus- decreased quality of care and less affordable trial corners, far away from public transit and medicine. Limiting the number of dispensing other services. Depending on a city's popula- collectives allowed to operate may also force tion density, it can also be extremely detri- patients with limited mobility to travel farther mental to set excessive proximity restrictions for access than they would otherwise need to. (to residences, schools or other facilities) that Artificially limiting the supply for patients can can make it impossible for dispensaries to result in an inability to meet demand, which locate anywhere within the city limits, thereby establishing a de facto ban on dispensing. It is in turn may lead to unintended and undesir- important to balance patient needs with able effects such as lines outside of dispen- saries, increased prices, and lower quality neighborhood concerns in this process. medicine, in addition to increased illicit-mar- ket activity. PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM ON-SITE Examples of cities and counties without CONSUMPTION AND PROPER numerical caps on dispensaries: VENTILATION SYSTEMS • Dunsmuir Reason: Dispensaries that allow members to • Fort Bragg consume medicine on-site have positive psy- • Laguna Woods chosocial health benefits for chronically ill • Long Beach people who are otherwise isolated. On-site • Placerville consumption encourages dispensary members to take advantage of the support services that • Redding improve patients' quality of life and, in some • Ripon cases, even prolong it. Researchers have • San Mateo shown that support groups like those offered • Santa Barbara • Selma by dispensaries are effective for patients with For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 14 a variety of serious illnesses. Participants active where multiple "qualified patients" in support services are less anxious and and/or "primary care givers," are organ- depressed, make better use of their time and ized to provide education, referral, or net- are more likely to return to work than work services, and facilitation or assistance patients who receive only standardized care, in the lawful, "retail" distribution of med- regardless of whether they have serious psy- ical cannabis. "Dispensary" means any chiatric symptoms. On-site consumption is also facility or location where the primary pur- important for patients who face restrictions to pose is to dispense medical cannabis (i.e., off-site consumption, such as those in subsi- marijuana) as a medication that has been dized or other housing arrangements that recommended by a physician and where prohibit smoking. In addition, on-site con- medical cannabis is made available to sumption provides an opportunity for and/or distributed by or to two or more of patients to share information about effective the following: a primary caregiver and/or use of cannabis and of specialized delivery a qualified patient, in strict accordance methods, such as vaporizers, which do not with California Health and Safety Code require smoking. Section 11362.5 et seq. A "dispensary" Examples of localities that permit on-site con- shall not include dispensing by primary sumption (many stipulate ventilation require- caregivers to qualified patients in the fol- ments): lowing locations and uses, as long as the location of such uses are otherwise regu- • Alameda County lated by this Code or applicable law: a • Berkeley clinic licensed pursuant to Chapter 1 of • Kern County Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, • Laguna Woods a health care facility licensed pursuant to • Richmond Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the Health and • San Francisco Safety Code, a residential care facility for • San Mateo County persons with chronic life-threatening ill- • South El Monte ness licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.01 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, DIFFERENTIATING DISPENSARIES FROM residential care facility for the elderly PRIVATE PATIENT COLLECTIVES IS licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.2 of IMPORTANT Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, Reason: Private patient collectives, in which a residential hospice, or a home health several patients grow their medicine collec- agenty licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 of tively at a private location, should not be Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, required to follow the same restrictions that as long as any such use complies strictly are placed on retail dispensaries, since they with applicable law including, but not lim- are a different type of operation. A too- ited to, Health and Safety Code Section broadly written ordinance may inadvertently 11362.5 et seq., or a qualified patient's or put untenable restrictions on individual caregiver's place of residence. patients and caregivers who are providing either for themselves or a few others. PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM ACCESS TO Example: Santa Rosa's adopted ordinance, EDIBLES AND MEDICAL CANNABIS provision 10-40.030 (F): CONSUMPTION DEVICES Reason: Not all patients can or want to smoke "Medical cannabis dispensing collective," cannabis. Many find tinctures (cannabis hereinafter dispensary, shall be con- extracts) or edibles (such as baked goods con- strued to include any association, coopera- taining cannabis)to be more effective for tive, affiliation, or collective of persons For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-18%. 15 their conditions. Allowing dispensaries to • Cotati carry these items is important to patients get- • Citrus Heights ting the best level of care possible. For • Eureka patients who have existing respiration prob- • Laguna Woods lems or who otherwise have an aversion to • Long Beach smoking, edibles and extracts are essential. • Los Angeles (city of) Conversely, for patients who do choose to • Malibu smoke or vaporize, they need to procure the • Napa tools to do so. Prohibiting dispensaries from • Palm Springs carrying medical cannabis consumption • Redding devices, often referred to as paraphernalia, • Richmond forces patients to go elsewhere to procure • Santa Barbara these items. Additionally, when dispensaries • Santa Cruz do carry these devices, informed dispensary • Sebastopol staff can explain their usage, and different • South El Monte functions, to new patients. • Stockton • Sutter Creek Examples of localities allowing dispensaries to . West Hollywood carry edibles and delivery devices: • Alameda County • Albany • Kern County • Angels Camp • Sonoma County • Berkeley INFORMATION RESOURCES FOR MORE A downloadable PDF of this report is online at ASA Forums America nsForSafeAccess.org/DispensaryReport Americans ForSafeAccess.org/forum A model dispensary ordinance can be seen at Medical and Scientific Information America nsForSafeAccess.org/ModelOrdinance. Americans ForSafeAccess.org/medical A regularly updated list of ordinances, mora- Legal Information toriums, and bans adopted by California cities Americans ForSafeAccess.org/legal and counties can be found at Become a member of ASA America nsForSafeAccess.org/regulations. America nsForSafeAccess.org/join You can find ASA chapters in your area at Contact ASA to order the DVD "Medical America nsForSafeAccess.org/Cha pters. Cannabis in California"—interviews with ASA Blog elected officials and leaders who are imple- America nsForSafeAccess.org/blog menting safe and effective regulations. For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 16 APPENDIX A CALIFORNIA CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT Sebastopol HAVE ADOPTED ORDINANCES Selma REGULATING DISPENSARIES South El Monte (as of February 2011) Stockton Tulare For an updated list, go to: Visalia AmericansForSafeAccess.org/regulations West Hollywood Whittier City Ordinances (42) Yucca Valley Albany County Ordinances (9) Angels Camp Berkeley Alameda Citrus Heights Calaveras Kern Cotati San Luis Obispo Diamond Bar San Mateo Dunsmuir Eureka Santa Barbara F Santa Clara Fort Bragg I, Jackson Sonoma La Puente Laguna Woods Long Beach Los Angeles Malibu Mammoth Lakes Martinez Napa Oakland Palm Springs Placerville Plymouth Redding Richmond Ripon Sacramento San Carlos San Francisco San Jose San Mateo Santa Barbara Santa Cruz Santa Rosa For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 17 7 ASA'S QUICK GUIDE FOR EVALUATING • Will each MCDC be required to apply for a PROPOSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA conditional use permit, or does the DISPENSARY ORDINANCES IN CALIFORNIA ordinance specify MCDCs as an This is a quick guide on what should be, and enumerated business? what should not be, in city and county ordi- • Are there proximity restrictions or "buffer nances to best support safe access for medical zones" from so-called "sensitive uses" cannabis patients. which will make locating a dispensary onerous. What the ordinance MUST include: • Has a map been prepared that shows • Allowance for over-the-counter/storefront where the ordinance will require MCDCs sales (sometimes called reimbursements, to locate? contributions, or not-for-profit sales) • Allowance for patients to medicate on-site Does the ordinance provide for a community • Allowance for sale of cannabis edibles and oversight committee tasked with any licensing concentrated extracts or appeals processes? • Distinction between Medical Cannabis Will the oversight committee include Dispensing Collectives (MCDCs) and patients, activists, MCDC operators, and private patient collectives or cooperatives members of the local community? What to look out for in proposed ordinances: What are the MCDC requirements for book- Is the general language and focus framed as a keeping and records disclosure? medical or healthcare issue, rather than a • Does the ordinance allow MCDCs to keep criminal justice or law enforcement problem? identifying information about its Does the ordinance affirm that MCDCs should members off-site, to protect patient identities? be organized to serve patients and have a . Does law enforcement have unfettered "not-for-profit" business model? access to patient records or is a subpoena Is there a cap on the number of MCDCs required? allowed to operate that could negatively impact accessibility, affordability and quality? Are there caps on the number of patient- • How was the MCDC cap number members an MCDC can serve? determined (per capita, per pharmacy)? Is on-site cultivation prohibited for MCDCs? • What criteria will be used to approve and license MCDCs? • Will quality through competition be supported? Zoning considerations: For more information,see www.AmericansForsafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 18 „,APPENDIX C ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE OF used for the general welfare of its members CALIFORNIA, GUIDELINES FOR THE or equitably distributed to members in the SECURITY AND NON-DIVERSION OF form of cash, property, credits, or services. MARIJUANA GROWN FOR MEDICAL USE (ibid.) Cooperatives must follow strict rules on August 2008 organization, articles, elections, and distribu- tion of earnings, and must report individual GUIDELINES REGARDING COLLECTIVES transactions from individual members each AND COOPERATIVES year. (See id. at § 12200, et seq.) Agricultural cooperatives are likewise nonprofit corporate Under California law, medical marijuana entities since they are not organized to patients and primary caregivers may "associ- ate within the State of California in order col- their profit for themselves, as such, or for their members, as such, but only for their lectively or cooperatively to cultivate members as producers.” (Food &Agric. Code, marijuana for medical purposes." (§ § 54033.) Agricultural cooperatives share 11362.775.)The following guidelines are many characteristics with consumer meant to apply to qualified patients and pri- coopera- tives. (See, e.g., id. at § 54002, et seq.) mary caregivers who come together to collec- Cooperatives should not purchase marijuana I tively or cooperatively cultivate from, or sell to, non-members; instead, they physician-recommended marijuana. should only provide a means for facilitating or A. Business Forms: Any group that is collec- coordinating transactions between members. tively or cooperatively cultivating and distrib- 2. Collectives: California law does not define uting marijuana for medical purposes should collectives, but the dictionary defines them as be organized and operated in a manner that "a business, farm, etc., jointly owned and ensures the security of the crop and safe- operated by the members of a group." guards against diversion for non-medical pur- (Random House Unabridged Dictionary; poses. The following are guidelines to help Random House, Inc. © 2006.) Applying this cooperatives and collectives operate within definition, a collective should be an organiza- the law, and to help law enforcement deter- tion that merely facilitates the collaborative mine whether they are doing so. efforts of patient and caregiver members- 1. Statutory Cooperatives: A cooperative including the allocation of costs and revenues. must file articles of incorporation with the As such, a collective is not a statutory entity, state and conduct its business for the mutual but as a practical matter it might have to benefit of its members. (Corp. Code, § 12201, organize as some form of business to carry 12300.) No business may call itself a "coopera- out its activities. The collective should not pur- tive" (or "coop") unless it is properly organ- chase marijuana from, or sell to, non-mem- ized and registered as such a corporation bers; instead, it should only provide a means under the Corporations or Food and for facilitating or coordinating transactions Agricultural Code. (Id. at § 12311(b).) between members. Cooperative corporations are "democratically g Guidelines for the Lawful Operation of controlled and are not organized to make a a Cooperative or Collective: Collectives and profit for themselves, as such, or for their cooperatives should be organized with suffi- � members, as such, but primarily for their dent structure to ensure security, non-diver- sion of marijuana to illicit markets, and l earnings and savings of the business must be compliance with all state and local laws.The i For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 19 following are some suggested guidelines and recommendation and/or identification practices for operating collective growing cards expire; and operations to help ensure lawful operation. 1. f) Enforce conditions of membership by Non-Profit Operation: Nothing in Proposition excluding members whose identification 215 or the MMP authorizes collectives, coop- card or physician recommendation are eratives, or individuals to profit from the sale invalid or have expired, or who are caught or distribution of marijuana. (See, e.g., § diverting marijuana for non-medical use. 11362.765(x) ["nothing in this section shall 4. Collectives Should Acquire, Possess, authorize . . . any individual or group to culti- and Distribute Only Lawfully Cultivated vate or distribute marijuana for profit"]. Marijuana: Collectives and cooperatives 2. Business Licenses, Sales Tax, and should acquire marijuana only from their con- Seller's Permits: The State Board of stituent members, because only marijuana Equalization has determined that medical grown by a qualified patient or his or her pri- marijuana transactions are subject to sales tax, mary caregiver may lawfully be transported regardless of whether the individual or group by, or distributed to, other members of a col- makes a profit, and those engaging in trans- lective or cooperative. (§§ 11362.765, actions involving medical marijuana must 11362.775.)The collective or cooperative may obtain a Seller's Permit. Some cities and coun- then allocate it to other members of the ties also require dispensing collectives and group. Nothing allows marijuana to be pur- cooperatives to obtain business licenses. chased from outside the collective or coopera- tive for distribution to its members. Instead, 3. Membership Application and the cycle should be a closed circuit of marijua- Verification: When a patient or primary care- na cultivation and consumption with no pur- giver wishes to join a collective or coopera- chases or sales to or from non-members. To tive, the group can help prevent the diversion help prevent diversion of medical marijuana of marijuana for non-medical use by having to nonmedical markets, collectives and coop- potential members complete a written mem- eratives should document each member's con- bership application.The following application tribution of labor, resources, or money to the guidelines should be followed to help ensure enterprise. They also should track and record that marijuana grown for medical use is not the source of their marijuana. diverted to illicit markets: 5. Distribution and Sales to Non- a) Verify the individual's status as a qualified Members are Prohibited: State law allows patient or primary caregiver. Unless he or primary caregivers to be reimbursed for cer- she has a valid state medical marijuana tain services (including marijuana cultivation), identification card, this should involve but nothing allows individuals or groups to personal contact with the recommending sell or distribute marijuana to non-members. physician (or his or her agent), verification Accordingly, a collective or cooperative may of the physician's identity, as well as his or not distribute medical marijuana to any per- her state licensing status. Verification of son who is not a member in good standing of primary caregiver status should include the organization. A dispensing collective or contact with the qualified patient, as well cooperative may credit its members for mari- as validation of the patient's juana they provide to the collective, which it recommendation. Copies should be made may then allocate to other members. (§ of the physician's recommendation or 11362.765(c).) Members also may reimburse identification card, if any, the collective or cooperative for marijuana b) Have the individual agree not to that has been allocated to them. Any mone- distribute marijuana to non-members; tary reimbursement that members provide to c) Have the individual agree not to use the the collective or cooperative should only be marijuana for other than medical an amount necessary to cover overhead costs purposes; and operating expenses. d) Maintain membership records on-site or 6. Permissible Reimbursements and have them reasonably available; Allocations: Marijuana grown at a collective e) Track when members' medical marijuana or cooperative for medical purposes may be: For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 20 a) Provided free to qualified patients and 1. Storefront Dispensaries: Although med- primary caregivers who are members of ical marijuana "dispensaries" have been oper- the collective or cooperative; ating in California for years, dispensaries, as b) Provided in exchange for services such, are not recognized under the law. As rendered to the entity; noted above, the only recognized group enti- c)Allocated based on fees that are ties are cooperatives and collectives. (§ reasonably calculated to cover overhead 11362.775.) It is the opinion of this Office that costs and operating expenses; or d) Any a properly organized and operated collective combination of the above. or cooperative that dispenses medical mari- 7. Possession and Cultivation Guidelines: juana through a storefront may be lawful If a person is acting as primary caregiver to under California law, but that dispensaries more than one patient under section that do not substantially comply with the 11362.7(d)(2), he or she may aggregate the guidelines set forth in sections IV(A) and (B), possession and cultivation limits for each above, are likely operating outside the protec- tions of Proposition 215 and the MMP, and patient. For example, applying the MMP's that the individuals operating such entities basic possession guidelines, if a caregiver is responsible for three patients, he or she may may be subject to arrest and criminal rosecu- possess up to 24 oz. of marijuana (8 oz. per tion under California law. For example,le, dis- pensaries that merely require patients to patient) and may grow 18 mature or 36 immature plants. Similarly, collectives and complete a form summarily designating the cooperatives may cultivate and transport mar- business owner as their primary caregiver- ijuana in aggregate amounts tied to its mem- and then offering marijuana in exchange for cash donations - are likely unlawful. (Peron, bership numbers. Any patient or primary c supra, 59 Cal.App.4th at p. 1400 [cannabis caregiver exceeding individual possession guidelines should have supporting records club owner was not the primary caregiver to readily available when: thousands of patients where he did not con- sistently assume responsibility for their hous- a) Operating a location for cultivation; ing, health, or safety].) b) Transporting the group's medical 2. Indicia of Unlawful Operation: When marijuana; and investigating collectives or cooperatives, law c) Operating a location for distribution to enforcement officers should be alert for signs members of the collective or cooperative. of mass production or illegal sales, including 8. Security: Collectives and cooperatives (a) excessive amounts of marijuana, (b) exces- should provide adequate security to ensure sive amounts of cash, (c) failure to follow local that patients are safe and that the surround- and state laws applicable to similar businesses, ing homes or businesses are not negatively such as maintenance of any required licenses impacted by nuisance activity such as loitering and payment of any required taxes, including or crime. Further, to maintain security, prevent sales taxes, (d) weapons, (e) illicit drugs, (f) fraud, and deter robberies, collectives and purchases from, or sales or distribution to, cooperatives should keep accurate records non-members, or (g) distribution outside of and follow accepted cash handling practices, California. including regular bank runs and cash drops, and maintain a general ledger of cash trans- actions. C. Enforcement Guidelines: Depending upon the facts and circumstances, deviations from the guidelines outlined above, or other indicia that marijuana is not for medical use, may give rise to probable cause for arrest and seizure. The following are additional guide- lines to help identify medical marijuana col- lectives and cooperatives that are operating outside of state law. For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 21 r rrrt r APPENDIX 1 MODEL ORDINANCE MODEL ORDINANCE FOR COLLECTIVES The following phrases,when used in this Chapter,shall be construed as defined below. WHEREAS voters approved Proposition 215 in 1996 to ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use cannabis for medical purposes and to Medical Cannabis Dispensing Collective"or"MCDC". Qualified p atients,persons encourage elected officials to implement a plan for the safe and affordable distribu- with identification cards and designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and tion of medicine;and persons with identification cards who associate,as an incorporated or unincorporat- ed association,within ,in order to collectively or cooperatively provide med- WHEREAS the Califomia State Legislature adopted Senate Bill 420,the Medical ical marijuana from a licensed or permitted location pursuant to this Chapter,for use Marijuana Program Act,in 2003 to help clarify and further implement Proposition exclusively by their registered members,in strict accordance with California Health 215 in part by authorizing Qualified Patients and Primary Caregivers to associate and Safety Code Sections 11362.5 and 11362.7,et seq. within the State of California in order collectively or cooperatively to cultivate cannabis for medical purposes;and "Director." The Director of Planning or other person authorized to issue a WHEREAS the California Attorney General published"Guidelines for the Security and Conditional Use Permit pursuant to code. Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Purposes"in 2008,acknowledging Cities and counties may issue a business license or a Conditional Use Permit(CUP) that"a properly organized and operated collective of cooperative that dispenses to regulate MCDCs.If a jurisdiction opts for a business license model,the language medical marijuana through a storefront may be lawful under California law,"provid- in the following sections may be replaced with language authorizing the issuance of ed the facility substantially complies with state law,and a business license by amending the appropriate code Sections:Conditional Use WHEREAS crime statistic and the accounts of local officials surveyed by Americans Permit Required,Application Procedures,and Findings. for Safe Access indicate that crime is actually reduced by the presence of a Medical Conditional Use Permit Required Cannabis Dispensing Collective(MCDC);and complaints from citizens and surround- A Conditional Use Permit shall be required to establish or operate a Medical ing businesses are either negligible or are significantly reduced with the implementa- Cannabis Dispensing Collective(MCDC)in compliance with the requirements of this tion of sensible regulations;and Chapter when located in Commercial,Manufacturing,or Retail Zones. WHEREAS California courts have upheld the legality of MCDCs under state law, Application Procedure including People v.Hochanadel,98 Cal.Rptr.3d 347,and People v.Urziceanu,132 (1) In addition to ensuring compliance with the application procedures specified Cal.App.4th 747; in Section ,the Director shall send copy of the application and related THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED That does hereby enact the following: materials to all other relevant City departments for their review and comment. Purposes and Intent (2)A disclaimer shall be put on the MCDC zoning application forms that shall (1)To implement the provisions of California Health and Safety Code Sections include the following: 11362.5 and 11362.7,et seq.,as described by the California Attorney General a. A warning that the MCDC operators and their employees may be subject in"Guidelines For The Security And Non-diversion Of Marijuana Grown For to prosecution under federal law;and Medical Use,"published August 2008,which states in Section IV(C)(1)that"a b. A disclaimer that the City will not accept any legal liability in the properly organized and operated collective or cooperative that dispenses connection with any approval and/or subsequent operation of an MCDC. medical marijuana through a storefront may be lawful under California law," provided the facility substantially complies with the guidelines. Findings (2) To help ensure that seriously ill residents can obtain and use cannabis In addition to the findings required to establish compliance with the provisions of for medical purposes where that medical use has been deemed appropriate by Section ,approval of a Conditional Use Permit for an MCDC shall require the a physician in accordance with California law. following findings: (3)To help ensure that the qualified patients and their primary caregivers who (1) That the requested use at the proposed location will not adversely affect the obtain or cultivate cannabis solely for the qualified patient's medical economic welfare of the nearby community; treatment are not subject to arrest,criminal prosecution,or sanction. (2)That the requested use at the proposed location is outside a Residential Zone; (4)To protect citizens from the adverse impacts of unregulated medical cannabis (3)That the exterior appearance of the structure will be consistent with the distribution,storage,and use practices. exterior appearance of structures already constructed or under constructing (5)To establish a new section in the code pertaining to the permitted within the immediate neighborhood,so as to prevent blight or deterioration, distribution of medical cannabis in consistent with state law. or substantial diminishment or impairment of property values within the Nothing in this ordinance purports to permit activities that are otherwise illegal neighborhood. under state or local law. Location Definitions The location at which an MCDC distributes medical cannabis must meet the follow- The following phrases,when used in this Chapter,shall be construed as defined in ing requirements: California Health and Safety Code Sections 11362.5 and 11362.7: (1)The location must be in a Non-Residential Zone appropriate for Commercial, "Person with an identification card;" Manufacturing,or Retail uses,including health care use, "Identification card;" (2) The location must not be within 600-foot radius of a school,as measured in "Primary caregiver,"and Section 11362.768 of the California Health and Safety Code; "Qualified patient." (3) The location must not be within 1,000 feet of another MCDC. For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 22 Police Department Procedures and Training supplied to any person(s)other than the qualified patient(s)who designated (1)Within six months of the date that this Chapter becomes effective,the training the primary caregiver; materials,handbooks,and printed procedures of the Police Department shall (12)No outdoor cultivation shall occur at an MCDC location unless:a)it is not be updated to reflect its provisions.These updated materials shall be made visible from anywhere outside of the MCDC property,and b)secured from available to police officers in the regular course of their training and service. public access by means of a locked gate and any other security measures (2) Medical cannabis-related activities shall be the lowest possible priority of the necessary to prevent unauthorized entry, Police Department. (13)No MCDC shall cause or permit the establishment or maintenance of the sale (3) Qualified patients,their primary caregivers,and MCDCs who come into or dispensing of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises or off- contact with law enforcement shall not be cited or arrested and dried site of the premises; cannabis or cannabis plants in their possession shall not be seized if they are (14)No dried medical cannabis shall be stored in structures without at least four in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. walls and a roof,or stored in an unlocked vault or safe,or other unsecured (4) Qualified patients,their primary caregivers,and MCDCs who come into storage structure;nor shall any dried medical cannabis be stored in a safe or contact with law enforcement and cannot establish or demonstrate their vault that is not bolted to the floor or structure of the facility,and status as a qualified patient,primary caregiver,or MCDC,but are otherwise in (15)Medical cannabis may be consumed on-site only as follows: compliance with the provisions of this Chapter,shall not be cited or arrested a. The smoking or vaporizing of medical cannabis shall be allowed provided and dried cannabis or cannabis plants in their possession shall not be seized if that appropriate seating,restrooms,drinking water,ventilation,air (1)based on the activity and circumstances,the officer determines that there purification system,and patient supervision are provided in a room or is no evidence of criminal activity;(2)the claim by a qualified patient,primary enclosed area separate from other MCDC service areas. caregiver,or MCDC is credible;and(3)proof of status as a qualified patient, primary caregiver,or MCDC can be provided to the Police Department within b. The maximum occupancy the s site consumption area shall meet three(3)business days of the date of contact with law enforcement. applicable occupancy requirements. Operational Standards c. The MCDC shall use an activated charcoal filter,or other device sufficient to eliminate all odors associated with medical cannabis use from (1) Signs displayed on the exterior of the property shall conform to existing adjoining businesses and public walkways.The fan used to move air regulations; through the filter shall have the capacity sufficient to ventilate the square (2)The location shall be monitored at all times by closed circuit video recording footage of the separate room or enclosed area in which medical cannabis system for security purposes.The camera and recording system must be of use is permitted. adequate quality,color rendition and resolution to allow the ready (16)MCDCs must verify that each member(1)is legally entitled to posses or identification of any individual committing a crime anywhere on the site; consume medical cannabis pursuant to state law;and(2)is a resident of the (3)The location shall have a centrally-monitored alarm system; State of California. (4) Interior building lighting,exterior building lighting and parking area lighting (17)All MCDC operators,employees,managers,members,or agents shall be must be in compliance with applicable regulations,and must be of sufficient qualified patients or the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients. brightness and color rendition so as to allow the ready identification of any MCDC operators,employees,managers,members,or agents shall not sell, individual committing a crime on site at a distance of no less than forty feet(a barter,give away,or furnish medicine to anyone who is not a qualified patient distance that should allow a person reasonable reaction time upon recognition or primary caregiver,registered as a member of the MCDC,and entitled to of a viable threat); possess cannabis under state law. (5) Adequate overnight security shall be maintained so as to prevent (18)MCDCs shall maintain accurate patient records necessary to demonstrate unauthorized entry, patient eligibility under the law for every MCDC member,including(1)a copy (6) Absolutely cannabis product may be visible from the building exterior; of a valid driver's license or Department of Motor Vehicle identification card, (7)Any beverage or edible produced,provided or sold at the MCDC containing (2)a patient registration form,(3)a current valid letter of recommendation for the use of medical cannabis written by a state-licensed physician. All patient cannabis shall be so identified,as part of the packaging,with a prominent and records shall be kept in a secure location,regarded as strictly confidential,and clearly legible warning advising that the product contains cannabis and that is shall not be provided to law enforcement without a valid subpoena or court it to be consumed only by qualified patients; order. (8) No persons under the age of eighteen shall be allowed on site,unless the (19)Operating hours for MCDCs shall not exceed the hours between 8:00 AM and individual is a qualified patient and accompanied by his or her parent or 10:00 PM daily. documented legal guardian; (9) At any given time,no MCDC may possess more cannabis or cannabis plants (20)MCDCs must have at least one security guard with a Guard Card issued by than would reasonably meet the needs of its registered patient members; the California Department of Consumer Affairs on duty during operating hours. (10)A sign shall be posted in a conspicuous location inside the structure advising: Severability "The diversion of cannabis(marijuana)for non-medical purposes is a violation of state law and will result in membership expulsion.Loitering at the location If any section,sub-section,paragraph,sentence,or word of this Article is deemed to of a Medical Cannabis Dispensing Collective is also grounds for expulsion.The be invalid,the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of any other use of cannabis may impair a person's ability to drive a motor vehicle or sections,sub-sections,paragraphs,sentences,or words of this Article,or the applica- operate heavy machinery; tion thereof;and to that end,the sections,sub-sections,paragraphs,sentences,and words of this Article shall be deemed severable. (11)No MCDC may provide medical cannabis to any persons other than qualified patients and designated primary caregivers who are registered members of the MCDC and whose status to possess cannabis pursuant to state law has been verified.No medical cannabis provided to a primary caregiver may be For more information,see www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856. 23