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San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs

By Jeralyn, Section Crime Policy
Posted on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 01:44:25 PM EST
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Demand for medical marijuana has increased substantially in San Francisco since the Health Department began issuing ID cards four years ago. The San Francisco Examiner reports that the city, wanting a piece of the action, may begin regulating pot clubs.

The City has seen "an explosion of new medical marijuana clubs," according to Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, a Green Party member who plans a public hearing on an estimated 34 clubs. Health Department records show that from 2003 to 2004, the number of patients requesting medical marijuana ID cards doubled to more than 7,000.

"After seeing the rise of this cottage industry in San Francisco, questions abound as to what The City might do to benefit from this commerce," Mirkarimi said. "I'm not looking in order to infringe on their business, but I want to bring them into the sunshine."

Right now, anyone can set up shop. One shopkeeper set out six pickle jars and filled them with pot.

Wayne Justmann, who was the first in line when The City began issuing medical marijuana ID cards, said the time is right for The City to define what constitutes a dispensary...."Because you have six pickle jars with cannabis in them, that makes you a cannabis club?" he asked. "I'm offended."

[hat tip to California NORML]

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    • San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs | 9 comments (9 topical)
    Re: San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs (none / 0) (#1)
    by roy on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 01:57:12 PM EST
    Let's hope Californians regulate the pot industry better than they regulated the electricity industry.

    Re: San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 02:04:59 PM EST
    San Fran City Council should mandate that pot is transported only in reusable, natural fiber bags instead of plastic, paper or other throwaways, and of course price controls should be instituted as well as a "per puff" city tax the proceeds of which will fund Medicaid pot for the indigenous.

    Re: San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 02:07:02 PM EST
    Probably soon be the only thing you can smoke in CA.... -C

    Re: San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 02:34:48 PM EST
    I hear the incidence rate of glaucoma in San Fran is 10x the National Avg. and rising fast..

    Re: San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs (none / 0) (#5)
    by pigwiggle on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 02:41:32 PM EST
    You cannot separate economic freedom and personal freedom. This sucks.

    Re: San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 02:46:52 PM EST
    Will legalizing Medical Marijuana become the next big city source of income? Remember Gambling was Illegal now Cities are running Riverboats in their sewers! I can hear the Advertisements now "Smoke gets in your eyes in San francisco", "Come get Healthy in the Smoky Mountains"

    Re: San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 03:40:36 PM EST
    Top 10 New Rejected SF slogans: 10> Funky Spunk But No Drunk

    Re: San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 25, 2005 at 09:50:24 PM EST
    The west is the best.

    Re: San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs (none / 0) (#9)
    by Che's Lounge on Sun Feb 27, 2005 at 08:56:40 AM EST
    Roy, Amen brother. Just today my local paperhad an article warning again of possible rolling blackouts this summer. Setting up the marks for the big blowoff.

    San Francisco May Begin Regulating Pot Clubs | 9 comments (9 topical)