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"As the number of patients in the state of California who rely upon medical cannabis for their treatment continues to grow, it is increasingly imperativ<~ that cities and counties address the issue of dispensaries in our respective communities. !n the city of Oakland we recognized this need and adopted an ordinance which balances patients' need for safe access to treatment while reassuring the community that these dispensaries are run right. A tangential benefit of the dispensaries has been that they have helped to stimulate economic development in the areas where they are located. " - Desley Brooks, Oakland City Councilmember ABOUT THIS REPORT Land-use decisions are now part of the irrlple- mentation of California's medical marijuana, or cannabis, laws. As a result, medical cannabis dispensing collectives (dispensaries) are the subject of considerable debate by planning and other local officials. Dispensaries have' been operating openly in many communities since the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996. As a compassionate, community-based response to the problems patients face in try- ing to access cannabis, dispensaries are cur- rently used by more than half of all patients in the state and are essential to those most seri- ously ill or injured. Since 2003, when the legis- lature further implemented state law by expressly addressing the issue of patient col- lectivesand compensation for cannabis, more dispensaries have opened and more comrnuni- ties have been faced with questions about business permits and land use options. In an attempt to clarify the issues involved, Americans for Safe Access has conducted a survey of local officials in addition to continu- ously tracking regulatory activity throughout the state. (safeaccessnow.org/regulations.} The report that follows outlines some of the underlying questions and provides an overview of the experiences of cities and counties around the state. In many parts cif California, dispensaries have operated respon- siblyand provided essential services to they most needy without local intervention, but city and county officials are also considering how to arrive at the most effective regulations for their community, ones that respect the rights of patients for safe and legal access within the context of the larger community. ABOUT AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic uses and research. ASA works in partnership with state, local and national legislators to overcome bar- riers and create policies that improve access to cannabis for patients and researchers. We have more than 30,000 active members with chapters and affiliates in more than 40 states. THE NATIONAL POLITICAL LANDSCAPE A substantial majority of Americans support safe and legal access to medical cannabis. Public opinion polls in every part of the coun- try show majority support cutting across politi- cal and demographic lines. Among them, a Time/CNN poll in 2002 showed 80% national support; a survey of AARP members in 2004 showed 72% of older Americans support legal access, with those in the western states polling 82% in favor. This broad popular consensus, combined with an intransigent federal government which For more Information, see evevw.AmericansForSafeACCess.org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-9Z9-4367 or 510-251-1856. 3