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LA PUENTE - After capping the number of medical marijuana dispensaries
allowed in the city at six last month, the City Council voted 4-0
Tuesday night to draft an ordinance to push them all out.

The city was scheduled to consider an ordinance that would limit how
close the dispensaries could be to schools, parks and libraries.

But with a number of residents expressing concerns over the dispensaries
and their effect on children, the council took a different direction.

Councilmen John Solis and Dan Holloway moved to rid the city of the
dispensaries.

"The residents have spoken," said Councilman David Argudo, who has also
opposed the dispensaries.

The city attorneys will draft an ordinance that bans medical marijuana
dispensaries. In the meantime, attorneys have also been directed to
draft an ordinance that would force existing dispensaries to be at least
1,000 feet away from churches, school and parks.

No time frame for the ordinance was set but officials said they hoped to
have it ready as soon as possible.

Nearly 170 people showed up for the meeting, filling the chamber and the
hallway with anti-marijuana posters and signs.

On Jan. 13, the city approved the limit of six dispensaries and enacted
regulations in response to an influx of applications. Since then, 12
business license applications rushed in before the cap took effect Feb.
12.

It could soon become legal to open a medical marijuana dispensary in St.
Helena.

On Tuesday the city council voted 4-1 to direct staff to draft
regulations concerning marijuana dispensaries as quickly as possible.

City staff had asked the council to consider an urgency ordinance
placing a moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries, which are
not prohibited by current city regulations.

But councilmembers said any potential applicants should just hold off
until the regulations are adopted.

City Councilman Eric Sklar said his father, who died last January of
pancreatic cancer, benefited from medical marijuana.

"If it wasn't for medical marijuana his last months would have
been miserable in a way they didn't have to be," said Sklar.

He said the city should adopt an ordinance within six to eight weeks
that would regulate how and where marijuana dispensaries could operate,
as well as how to handle any leftover product.

"We don't want Bob Pestoni's pigs getting stoned from eating
it out of the garbage," Sklar joked. Pestoni is the owner of Upper
Valley Disposal Service.

In 2009 the city granted a business license to Napa Valley Marijuana
Growers, an Internet business operated by St. Helena resident Crane
Carter that sells marijuana-themed hats and T-shirts, but not marijuana
itself.

Planner Shelley Mills said the city has received an inquiry about
establishing a marijuana dispensary in St. Helena.

Carter, a vocal advocate for the legalization of marijuana, urged the
council to adopt an ordinance to regulate marijuana clinics and provide
easier access to medical marijuana for patients and hospice workers.

"There's millions of people out there who can't speak as I
do," said Carter. "They're at risk from their insurance
companies or their employers. I'm speaking for a lot of people."

Carter said he would consider opening a dispensary, but he'd be
willing to wait for the council to adopt new regulations.

Mayor Del Britton cast the only vote opposing a new ordinance. He said
the city should look at the issue as part of its General Plan Update.

"I don't have a problem with marijuana, but my fundamental
problem is can we do this somewhere else besides downtown?" said
Britton. "I just don't like the idea of a marijuana shop
downtown."

Sklar said that question will be part of the council's discussion as
they craft the new ordinance.

Councilwoman Bonnie Schoch said the city can model the new regulations
on similar laws adopted successfully in other cities. "Let's not
re-create the wheel," she said.

The California Supreme Court recently shot down restrictions that
limited how much marijuana patients who are authorized to use the drug
are allowed to possess.