Supervisors voted unanimously this week to make its ban pot
dispensaries in county limits permanent, and it followed similar
bans already in place for Hollister and San Juan Bautista.
Supervisors voted unanimously this week to make its ban pot dispensaries in county limits permanent, and it followed similar bans already in place for Hollister and San Juan Bautista.
The board’s decision followed approval in February of an urgency ordinance that allowed county staff time to return to the board with an ordinance banning dispensaries, including collectives, cooperatives, clubs and clinics.
In making the decision, board members noted how the medical marijuana dispensaries, permitted by the state, are illegal under federal law.
The ban was spurred by the opening of a Purple Cross Rx medical marijuana dispensary on Bolsa Road near Flynn Road. County officials previously have argued the facility is on land zoned for agricultural uses and have told the landlord that his tenant, Scott McPhail, does not have permission to operate the dispensary there.
Purple Cross previously had a location in downtown Hollister and was sued by the city for violating zoning codes there as well.
McPhail attended last week’s meeting but did not speak during public comment. San Jose-based attorney James Roberts represented Purple Cross and urged supervisors to research medical marijuana benefits.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Free Lance on Tuesday.
