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Pot Clinic Opens In Monterey Without City's OK
Clinic Started Dispensing Marijuana 4 Days Ago
POSTED: 4:55 pm PST January 5, 2010
UPDATED: 8:35 pm PST January 5, 2010
MONTEREY, Calif. -- A medical marijuana dispensary has opened in the heart of Monterey, and that is news to people at City Hall.
Nestled between restaurants and a beauty parlor in the 500 block of Lighthouse Avenue, the My Caregiver Cooperative started dispensing marijuana to patients just four days ago.
Officials at Monterey City Hall said they were surprised to learn a pot clinic had opened in Monterey.
Although My Caregiver Cooperative registered their operation with the city, operators failed to mention that they would be distributing medical marijuana. Instead, the business was listed as a health care cooperative.
Officials with the marijuana dispensary said they do offer herbal supplements and vitamins, but never told the building's landlord or City Hall about the marijuana.
Although medicinal marijuana dispensaries are not allowed in the city, City Manager Fred Meurer said he is taking an administrative approach before the issue goes before City Council.
"We'll see what happens," said Monterey City Manager Fred Meurer. "We'll take a look at it and will respond appropriately. We're not going to over respond one way or (the) other. I don't have a SWAT team on the way."
Operators of the marijuana clinic, meanwhile, said they are operating legally.
"We checked the entire city charter and (there is) no wording in there that actually says anything about medicinal cannabis (or) any prohibition to medicinal marijuana," said clinic director Jhonrico Carrnshimba. "Instead, there are exceptions for a cooperative entity to establish business in this area, which (is) what we've done."
The situation Monterey now finds itself in is similar to what Gilroy faced in November, when a medical marijuana dispensary opened without the city's OK. In Gilroy's case, the situation has turned into a legal fight that is now making its way through the courts.
The Monterey City Council is set to meet Tuesday night, but it is currently unclear if they will address the medical marijuana dispensary.
"It's not a good idea. I don't want neighbor selling marijuana to people here and I thought that supposed to be illegal," said Eli Saliba, who owns a business near the dispensary.
"I tell you what, if it helps people and really helps them I have no objection for them doing it," said Norma Tucker, who works near dispensary.
The medical pot club was opened by the same man who tried to open clinics in Seaside and Marina. A legal battle may now play out between him and the city of Monterey and on Tuesday Action News learned that Pacific Grove may be the next target for a medical pot clinic.
The person who tried to open a dispensary in Sand City, a couple of months ago, will go before the Pacific Grove City Council on Wednesday with his plans for a dispensary there.
Clinic Started Dispensing Marijuana 4 Days Ago
POSTED: 4:55 pm PST January 5, 2010
UPDATED: 8:35 pm PST January 5, 2010
MONTEREY, Calif. -- A medical marijuana dispensary has opened in the heart of Monterey, and that is news to people at City Hall.
Nestled between restaurants and a beauty parlor in the 500 block of Lighthouse Avenue, the My Caregiver Cooperative started dispensing marijuana to patients just four days ago.
Officials at Monterey City Hall said they were surprised to learn a pot clinic had opened in Monterey.
Although My Caregiver Cooperative registered their operation with the city, operators failed to mention that they would be distributing medical marijuana. Instead, the business was listed as a health care cooperative.
Officials with the marijuana dispensary said they do offer herbal supplements and vitamins, but never told the building's landlord or City Hall about the marijuana.
Although medicinal marijuana dispensaries are not allowed in the city, City Manager Fred Meurer said he is taking an administrative approach before the issue goes before City Council.
"We'll see what happens," said Monterey City Manager Fred Meurer. "We'll take a look at it and will respond appropriately. We're not going to over respond one way or (the) other. I don't have a SWAT team on the way."
Operators of the marijuana clinic, meanwhile, said they are operating legally.
"We checked the entire city charter and (there is) no wording in there that actually says anything about medicinal cannabis (or) any prohibition to medicinal marijuana," said clinic director Jhonrico Carrnshimba. "Instead, there are exceptions for a cooperative entity to establish business in this area, which (is) what we've done."
The situation Monterey now finds itself in is similar to what Gilroy faced in November, when a medical marijuana dispensary opened without the city's OK. In Gilroy's case, the situation has turned into a legal fight that is now making its way through the courts.
The Monterey City Council is set to meet Tuesday night, but it is currently unclear if they will address the medical marijuana dispensary.
"It's not a good idea. I don't want neighbor selling marijuana to people here and I thought that supposed to be illegal," said Eli Saliba, who owns a business near the dispensary.
"I tell you what, if it helps people and really helps them I have no objection for them doing it," said Norma Tucker, who works near dispensary.
The medical pot club was opened by the same man who tried to open clinics in Seaside and Marina. A legal battle may now play out between him and the city of Monterey and on Tuesday Action News learned that Pacific Grove may be the next target for a medical pot clinic.
The person who tried to open a dispensary in Sand City, a couple of months ago, will go before the Pacific Grove City Council on Wednesday with his plans for a dispensary there.
