10B Action 2012 0702 - Laserfiche WebLink

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File Number: 12 -341 using marijuana include problems concentrating, anxiety, paranoid thoughts, increased heart rate and memory impairment. The long term effects include respiratory problems, mental problems and several studies have shown that if a person uses an addictive substance such as marijuana before the age of 18, that person is six times more likely to develop a substance use disorder. Exploitation of law, violence, safety of our children and quality of life issues are factors that impact the San Leandro community regarding marijuana cultivation. The San Leandro Police Department is dedicated and committed to serving the community and enhancing the quality of life for every citizen. The San Leandro Police Department supports all efforts to ban medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperatives, collectives, cultivation, and grow facilities. Planning Analysis During the fall of 2010 and winter of 2011, the City Council met four times to discuss issues related to Medical Marijuana regulations. The material presented was a collaboration by various staff in the City Manager's and City Attorney's Offices, the Police Department and the Community Development Department. During the moratorium, staff surveyed various communities, including all cities in Alameda County and Alameda County itself. At that time, six cities had ordinances that prohibit dispensaries and cultivation: Alameda, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Livermore and Pleasanton. The cities of Berkeley, Oakland and Albany, as well as Alameda County, had ordinances that allow for dispensaries. Since that time, Union City has enacted a moratorium and Newark has an ordinance prohibiting dispensaries and cultivation. The City of Hayward continues to have a de facto prohibition. (See attached Table) The medical marijuana facilities in the City of Oakland have come under considerable scrutiny, with various federal raids of facilities. Also, in March of 2012, the City of Oakland increased the total number of Medical Cannabis Dispensary Permits from four to eight permits citywide. Only one of the four received conditional permit approval at an approved site. The other three applicants were required to find sites within a specified period and must be in compliance with various safety requirements. City of Oakland staff now report that none of these four applicants have been able to execute a lease. Many property owners are now leery of renting to medical marijuana facilities because of recent federal raids. The City of Berkeley allows four dispensaries. One of these dispensaries, Berkeley Patients Group, closed its San Pablo Avenue location on May 1, 2012 after 12 '/2 years of operation. Although they will be looking for a new location, according to Berkeleyside.com, Berkeley Patients Group is closing the San Pablo dispensary because of federal government threats to seize the landlord's assets if cannabis operations continue. Berkeley Patients Group, with 13,000 members, is the largest and oldest dispensary to be impacted by U.S. Attorney's pursuit of cannabis operations throughout California. Conclusion A moratorium was established in the City of San Leandro in late 2010 for Medical Marijuana dispensaries and cultivation facilities in the City of San Leandro and extended to September City of San Leandro Page 7 Printed on 612612012