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<br />against the cities of Susanville and Concord challenging their bans have been dismissed by the <br />medical marijuana proponents. <br /> <br />An ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries can be prepared and presented to <br />the City Council for consideration. <br /> <br />Moratorium Extension Option <br /> <br />As detailed above, the City's current zoning moratorium on medical marijuana <br />dispensaries expires on August 5th. Under State law, the City may extend the existing <br />moratorium for an additional 12 month period. <br /> <br />Staff recommends the extension of the moratorium because of illegal drug activity, illegal <br />drug sales, robbery of dispensaries, robbery of persons as they are leaving dispensaries, robbery <br />of the homes of persons who operate dispensaries, loitering around dispensaries, robbery of <br />private marijuana gardens, establishment of marijuana gardens on public lands, un-permitted <br />cultivation of marijuana in industrial buildings, and other increases in criminal activity related to <br />established medical marijuana dispensaries in other jurisdictions. As noted in prior reports, even <br />though Pleasanton does not have a medical marijuana dispensary operating within the City limits, <br />juveniles have been arrested in Pleasanton in possession of marijuana which had been re-sold to <br />them after having been obtained from a dispensary, as well as a dispensary employee's home <br />being robbed when that employee brought home a large amount of cash from the dispensary. <br /> <br />Medical marijuana dispensaries have resulted in increased demands for police response, <br />and have created significant health, safety and welfare concerns. Such health, safety and welfare <br />concerns are the basis to support an extension of the moratorium. An ordinance to extend the <br />current zoning moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries for an additional 12 months is <br />attached as Exhibit A, and the text of the ordinance further details the health, safety and welfare <br />concerns. Adoption of the moratorium extension ordinance requires a minimum 4/5ths vote. <br /> <br />Environmental Review <br /> <br />The proposed moratorium extension ordinance is exempt from review under the California <br />Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the proposal will not result in a direct or reasonably <br />foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. (See Title 14 Cal. Code of Regs. SS <br />15060(c)(2), 15601(b)(3) and 15262.) <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br /> <br />None <br /> <br />SR 06:185 <br />