The ban is in place for 45 days while the county Community Development Department prepares a permanent ordinance.
Several members of a Stockton-area group called Legitimate Cannabis Collective spoke about the benefits of having medical marijuana dispensaries in San Joaquin County.
"It's an underground industry," organization member Mary Wanda said. "We'd like to bring it above ground."
Sean Becker, who uses marijuana to help his multiple sclerosis, added that having dispensaries would increase tax revenue to the financially strapped county.
"We want to do it right," Becker said. "We're trying to establish community support."
The cities of Lodi and Galt already have temporary bans on marijuana dispensaries.
According to a report from Community Development Director Kerry Sullivan, "The intent of the ordinance is to prohibit the establishment of storefront cannabis dispensaries. The ordinance is not intended to conflict with the Compassionate Use Act and the Medical Marijuana Program of the Health and Safety Code."
Saying that voters approved medical marijuana in 1996, Supervisor Larry Ruhstaller wanted to ensure that marijuana supporters were included in the development of the permanent ordinance.
"Are we working with these people, or are we working toward a ban?" Ruhstaller asked Sullivan.
"We haven't started work on it," Sullivan said.
Source: Lodi News-Sentinel
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