San Jose council votes to sharply limit marijuana dispensaries

[alp227]

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Finally moving to stem the tide of medical marijuana shops in San Jose, a divided City Council on Tuesday tentatively approved sharp limits on where those shops can locate, restricting them largely to certain industrial and commercial zones.

But the council, which has been struggling with the issue for well over a year, didn't rally behind Mayor Chuck Reed's effort to shut down more than 90 percent of the city's marijuana clubs by capping their number at 10.

The end result added only slightly more clarity to a confused situation that has allowed at least 100 medical marijuana establishments to open in San Jose, the largest concentration in Northern California, even though the San Jose Police Department and city attorney insist that none is operating legally under current law. It's clear San Jose is headed for fewer shops, but how many will be allowed and how the city will decide which ones make the cut, no one can say.

"I think it's very important that we move forward today," said Councilwoman Rose Herrera, who voted with the majority. "We need to make a statement to our community that we have a plan."

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_17831895

[Newest Reality]

1. I noticed that this seems to be about nothing

more than the law. Did I miss the real reasons for this action?

I mean, the dispensaries are there and have been for a while. Okay. So, did this turn out to be like Reefer Madness and there were droves of googly-eyed drug zombies raping dogs and grannies while holding-up convenience stores for Twinkies? Did morals loosen all over the city and was virginity lost? Were new insane asylums opened to take in the massive number of permanently screwed-up pot heads who became a horrific danger to society?

What the hell is their reasoning in this other than the archaic, propaganda-based, industry serving laws that we have been trying so hard for decades to divest ourselves of with all manner of logical, fact-filled debate, reasoning, studies and personal and cultural case histories that labor to undo the lies and fallacies we have had to endure, along with all the lives ruined by punitive legal ramifications?

The fact that the issue is about medical cannabis only underscores how ridiculous and biased the action is.

It is all about money and power and control, not cannabis. Rolling joints in a parking lot is not my idea of a threat to anyone, so that's bullshit. Let the uptight clowns come forth and challenge relief for patients. They are probably more worried about the forthcoming step of legalization for recreational use and this might represent one of the last stands, we can only hope.

[DCKit]

2. Unless they're trying to consolidate control/ownership of the shops, it doesn't make sense.

Fascism on the march.

[EFerrari]

4. Fundraising for the city.

Things are not great here.

[DCKit]

5. Shit, I'd consider moving there for the ambience of YOU. MM would be a bonus.

Not to be creepy, but ppl like you are too rare and far between. I've got nobody (sane) close anymore.

But it's CA and entry level housing is beyond my means, and the S.O. and family (such as they are) are here.

[DontTreadOnMe]

3. Follow the money

it's all about controlling the permits... and thus who gets distribution rights