HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/4/2009 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.F. Page 1 of 1
Cindy Berardi
From: J.Michael Bell [rorloveoffilm@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:01 PM
To: Steve Pougnet; Ginny Foat; Rick.Hutchenson@palmsprings-ca.gov, Chris Mills; Lee Weigel,
CityManager@palmsprings-ca.gov; cityclerk@palmsprings-ca.gov
Subject: Tomorrow's meeting
As a Palm Spring resident/voter, long-tern AIDS activist& 26+yrs survivor and current chemotherapy patient, I
address you. 1 share your interest in having some regulations regarding the apothecary shops which specialize in
cannabis therapy.
C.A.P.S. 4050 Airport Center Dr. has proven to be a clean, safe, comfortable provider. In a town whose nacre was
once synonymous to quality, this business owner is one of which Palm Springs can be proud.
Respectfully submitted,
I Michael Bell
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3/3/2009
,1W MARIJUANA ANTI-PROHIBITION PROJECT A
�Ak AMERICAN HARM REDUCTION ASSOCIATION H
Compassion and Common Sense
PO Box 739, Palm Springs GA 92263-0739
Phone — 760-799-2055
www-marijuananewsmg — email to Ian nygmariluananews.or-q
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March 3, 2009 x
To: PALIVI SPRINGS CITY COUNCII, �� r
From: LANKY SWERDLOW - -' ,
Subject: MIvl7 COLLECTIVE ORDINANCEo
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The last seven days have seen some momentous events in medical marijuana history occur.
.Last Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holden stated that the federal govenuncrit will no
longer intertere with states that have legalized the use of marijuana medicinally, This bring to an
end the DEA raids that so terrified everyone that even good people were afraid to act.
On Monday, great grandparents Rich and Joann McCabe up in the High Desert had all marijuana
charges against them dismissed so the 76 year old great grandma no longer has to worry about
being put in jail.
On Tuesday, a meeting with significant law enforcement implications in Riverside County took
place in Cabezon. Captain Mitch Alm, head of the Sheriff's Special Investigation 13ureau, met
with patient representatives in the development of a new policy memorandum on how deputies
will decide on whether to arrest or walk away from individuals who claim protection under
California's Compassionate Use Act as patients or as operators/growers for collectives as
envisioned under the som to be enacted Palm Spring Medical lvlarij uana Collective ordinance.
This new policy memorandum is expected to be finalized sometime in April.
And today, Wednesday, March 4, Palm Springs will be the first city in Riverside County to
specifically permit and zone For the operation of medical marijuana collectives.
I applaud the city of Palm Springs for such farsighted and visionary thinking and for their
respouse to the needs of patients and respect for the voters of California's decision to allow for
the medicinal use of marijuana.
I am concerned about Section 5 G which details the permitting process, It would seem that
Section 5 Cy 2.3 would require an applicant to lease (or at least got a landlord to hold off the
market) the proposed premises during the three to four month application and approval period. I
believe this would discourage from applying prospective applicants who are currently not
operating a colloctive in the city of Palm Springs. Unless the inzention of the City Council is to
give those collectives that are already operating a leg up the application process, it would seem
some provision should be made so that applicants who can show sufficient financial and other
Palm Springs City Council
IvMMJ Ordinance
March 3, 2009
page ')
resources to obtain a location should not have to actually have any spccific ]eased site at the time
of the application.
i also continue to have concern over Section 5 K 2 which requires hours of operation of 9 a.m. to
7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The enactment of a blue law specifically for medical
nrarij uana collectives seems unfair, unnecessary and unconstitutional. If the City Council wants
to restrict the collectives to six days a week, then specify that but let the collective operators
decide which day they want to close. l cannot comprehend what civic need justification there is
for not allowing a collective to better serve its members by being open seven days a week.
Thank you for taking airy concerns into consideration.
Sincerely,
Lanny Swerdlow
Director
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I CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MARCH 4, 2009 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE RELATING TO THE
LOCATION AND OPERATION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS
COOPERATIVES AND COLLECTIVES
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: James Thompson, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION:
Waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1758, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBSECTIONS 91.00.10-B,
92.15.01-A, 92.17.01-A, AND 92.17.1.01 OF, AND ADDING SECTION 93.22.00 TO,
THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE, RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS
COOPERATIVES AND COLLECTIVES AS PERMITTED USES IN THE C-M, M-1, AND
M-2 ZONES."
STAFF ANALYSIS:
At its February 18, 2009, meeting proposed Ordinance No. 1758 was introduced by the
following vote'
ACTION: 1) Waive the reading of the ordinance text in its entirety and read by title only;
and 2) Introduce on first reading Ordinance No. 1758, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBSECTIONS 91.00.10-B,
92.15.01-A, 92.17.01-A, AND 92.17.1.01 OF, AND ADDING SECTION 9322.00 TO,
THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE, RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS
COOPERATIVES AND COLLECTIVES AS PERMITTED USES IN THE C-M, M 1, and
M-2, ZONES," amending the proposed ordinance to allow collectives in the C-M zone,
amending 93.22.00(C) by adding to the prohibition within 500 feet of child care or day
care facility, amending 93.22.00(C) by appending commercial retail use with "where
such use is the primary use on such property,"amending the requirement for barring on
windows to provide that `All windows on the building that houses the cooperative or
collective shall be appropriately secured and all marijuana securely stored, and a
reliable, commercial alarm system shall be installed and maintained," amending the
requirements for patient records "The cooperative shall maintain patient records in a
secure location within the City of Palm Springs, available to the City Manager to review
upon demand," and amend 93.22.00(K)(9) pertaining to prohibited use on the premises
ITEM NO. 2 F.
City Council Staff Report
March 4, 2009 -- Page 2
Ordinance 1758
by removing the "or other immediate surroundings," and 93.22.00(K)(7) second
sentence to read 'All transactions between the cooperative or collective and its
members or the members'primary caregivers shall be made by check or credit card; no
cash transactions shall be allowed." Motion Councilmember Hutcheson, seconded
by Councilmember Foat and carried 3-1 on a roll call vote.
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: Councilmember Weigel.
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tern Mills.
This report provides for the City Council to waive further reading and adapt the
ordinance. The ordinance shall be effective 30-days from adoption.
MES THOMPSON, City Clerk DAVID H. READY, ariager
Attachments:
Ordinance No. 1758
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBSECTIONS 91.00.10-B, 92.15.01-
A, 92.17.01-A, AND 92.17.1.01 OF, AND ADDING SECTION
93.22.00 TO, THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE RELATING
TO MEDICAL CANNABIS COOPERATIVES AND COLLECTIVES
AS PERMITTED USES IN THE C M, M-1, AND M-2 ZONES
City Attorney Summary
This Ordinance establishes that medical cannabis cooperatives and
collectives that comply with the Guidelines for the Security and
Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use issued by the
Attorney General of the State of California in August 2008 are
permitted uses in the C-M (commercial manufacturing), M-1
(service and manufacturing), and M-2 (manufacturing) Zones
subject to compliance with the procedural and operational
requirements of the Ordinance. The Ordinance imposes certain
restrictions on operations, requires a regulatory permit to operate a
medical cannabis cooperative or collective, provides that no more
than two cooperatives or collectives will be allowed in the City, and
sets forth a process for the evaluation and approval of applications.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Section 91.00.10 of the Palm Springs Zoning Code is amended to add
the following definitions to subsection 8:
"Medical Cannabis" and "Medical Marijuana" are defined in strict accordance with
California Health and Safety Code sections 11362.5 and 11362.7 et seq.
"Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective" means five or more qualified
patients and caregivers who collectively or cooperatively cultivate and share physician-
recommended cannabis or marijuana in a manner strictly consistent with the Guidelines
for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use issued August
2008, by the Office of the Attorney General for the State of California, as may be
amended from time to time ("Attorney General Guidelines"), on file in the Office of the
City Clerk. The term "Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective" shall not include
dispensing by primary caregivers to qualified patients in the following locations and
uses: a clinic licensed pursuant to Chapter 1 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety
Code; a health care facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Division 2 of the
Health and Safety Code; a residential care facility for persons with chronic life-
threatening illness licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.01 of Division 2 of the Health and
Safety Code; a residential care facility for the elderly licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.2 of
Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code; a residential hospice; or a home health
agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 of Division 2 of Health and Safety Code, as long
as such use complies strictly with applicable law including, but not limited to, Health and
Safety Code sections 11362.5 and 11362.7 at. seq., or the cultivation, storage, or use
by a qualified patient or patients or that patient's or patients' primary caregiver or
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caregivers, incidental to a residential use by, and for the sole use of, the patient or
patients who reside at such residential use location.
SECTION 2. Section 92.15.01 of Chapter 92.00 of the Palm Springs Zoning Code is
amended by adding the following to subsection A:
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective, subject to the property development
standards contained in Section 93.22.00 of this Code.
SECTION 3. Section 92.17.01 of Chapter 92.00 of the Palm Springs Zoning Code is
amended by adding the following to subsection A:
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective, subject to the property development
standards contained in Section 93.22.00 of this Code.
SECTION 4. Section 92.17.1.01 of Chapter 92.00 of the Palm Springs Zoning Code is
hereby amended by adding the following to subsection A:
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective, subject to the property development
standards contained in Section 93.22.00 of this Code.
SECTION 5. Section 93.22.00 is added to the Palm Springs Municipal Code to read:
93,22,00 Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective Special Standards.
A. No land use entitlement, permit (including building permit) approval, site plan,
certificate of occupancy, zoning clearance, or other land use authorization for a Medical
Cannabis Cooperative shall be granted or permitted except in conformance with this
Section.
B, Medical Cannabis Cooperatives or Collectives shall be permitted, upon
application and approval of a regulatory permit in accordance with the criteria and
process set forth in this Section.
C. No Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective shall be established, developed,
or operated within five hundred (500) feet of a school, public playground or park, or any
residential zone property, child care or day care facility, youth center, or church, or
within one thousand (1000) feet of any other Medical Cannabis Cooperative or
Collective, and shall not be located on any property that is occupied with a commercial
retail use where such use is the primary use on such property. All distances shall be
measured in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures, from the nearest
point of the building or structure in which the Medical Cannabis Cooperative or
Collective is, or will be located, to the nearest property line of those uses describe in
this Subsection.
D. A Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective is not and shall not be approved
as an accessory use to any other use permitted by this Zoning Code.
E. A Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective shall be parked at a rate of 1
space for every 250 gross square feet of the entire business space.
F. No more than two Medical Cannabis Cooperatives and/or Collectives shall be
maintained or operated in the City at any time. In the event more than two cooperatives
or collectives are eligible for regulatory permits under this Section, the City Council shall
review and evaluate all qualified applications and will approve issuance of regulatory
permits to the most qualified as determined through the Allotment Process described
below.
G. Prior to initiating operations and as a continuing requisite to conducting
operations, the legal representative of the persons wishing to operate a Medical
Cannabis Cooperative or Collective shall obtain a regulatory permit from the City
Manager under the terms and conditions set forth in this Section. The legal
representative shall file an application with the City Manager upon a form provided by
the City and shall pay a filing fee as established by resolution adopted by the City
Council as amended from time to time. An application for a regulatory permit for a
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective shall include, but shall not be limited to, the
following information:
1. An estimate of the size of the group of primary caregivers and/or qualified
patients who will be served by the non-profit cooperative; this description should
include whether delivery service will be provide and the extent of such service.
2. The address of the location from which the cooperative for which
application is made will be operated;
3. A site plan and floor plan of the premises denoting all the use of areas on
the premises, including storage, cultivation areas, exterior lighting, restrooms,
and signage.
4. A security plan including the following measures:
a. Security cameras shall be installed and maintained in good
condition, and used in an on-going manner with at least 120 concurrent
hours of digitally recorded documentation in a format approved by the City
Manager. The cameras shall be in use 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
The areas to be covered by the security cameras include, but are not
limited to, the storage areas, cultivation areas, all doors and windows, and
any other areas as determined by the City Manager.
b. The lease/business space shall be alarmed with an alarm system
that is operated and monitored by a recognized security company.
C. Entrance to the dispensing area and any storage areas shall be
locked at all times, and under the control of cooperative staff.
d. The business entrance(s) and all window areas shall be illuminated
during evening hours. The applicant shall comply with the City's lighting
standards regarding fixture type, wattage, illumination levels, shielding,
etc., and secure the necessary approvals and permits as needed.
e. All windows on the building that houses the cooperative or
collective shall be appropriately secured and all marijuana securely stored,
and a reliable, commercial alarm system shall be installed and maintained.
5. The name and address of any person who is managing or responsible for
the Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective's activities, and the names and
addresses of any employees, if any, and a statement as to whether such person
or persons has or have been convicted of a crime(s), the nature of such
offense(s), and the sentence(s) received for such conviction(s).
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6. The name and address of the owner and lessor of the real property upon
which the business is to be conducted. In the event the applicant is not the legal
owner of the property, the application must be accompanied with a notarized
acknowledgement from the owner of the property that a Medical Cannabis
Cooperative or Collective will be operated on his/her property.
7. Authorization for the City Manager to seek verification of the information
contained within the application.
8. Evidence that the cooperative or collective is organized as a bona fide
non-profit cooperative, affiliation, association, or collective of persons comprised
exclusively and entirely of qualified patients and the primary caregivers of those
patients in strict accordance with the Compassionate Use Act.
9. A statement in writing by the applicant that he or she certifies under
penalty of perjury that all the information contained in the application is true and
correct.
10. Any such additional and further information as is deemed necessary by
the City Manager to administer this Section-
H. The City Manager shall conduct a background check of any applicant for a
regulatory permit, including any person who is managing or is otherwise responsible for
the activities of the cooperative or collective, and any employee, and shall prepare a
report on the acceptability of the applicant's background and the suitability of the
proposed location. Upon completing the review process, the regulatory permit shall be
deemed a qualified application subject to the final certification and approval by the City
Council pursuant to the allotment process, unless the City Manager finds that the
applicant!
1. Has made one or more false or misleading statements, or omissions on
the application or during the application process; or
2. The proposed cooperative or collective is not allowed by state or local law,
statuo, ordinance, or regulation, including this Code, at a particular location
3. Is not a Primary Caregiver or Qualified Patient or the legal representative
of the cooperative or collective; or
4. The applicant, or any person who is managing or is otherwise responsible
for the activities of the cooperative or collective, or any employee, if any, has
been convicted of a felony, or convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude, or the illegal use, possession, transportation, distribution or similar
activities related to controlled substances, with the exception of marijuana
related offenses for which the conviction occurred prior to passage of
Compassionate Use Act.. A conviction within the meaning of this section means
a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere.
5. The applicant. Or any person who is managing or is otherwise responsible
for the activities of the cooperative or collective has engaged in unlawful,
fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive business acts or practices.
6. Has not satisfied each and every requirement of this Section.
Based on the information set forth in the application and the City Manager's report, the
City Manager, or the City Council pursuant to the allotment process, may impose
reasonable terms and conditions on the proposed operations in addition to those
specified in this Section. A regulatory permit issued pursuant to this Section is not
transferable.
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I. The City Manager will accept applications for Medical Cannabis Cooperatives or
Collectives during a ninety (90) day period commencing on the effective date of this
Section. Such 90 day time period plus an additional 30 days to complete the reviews
and the preparation of the reports called for in this Section shall be considered the
"Application Period." In the event there are no more than two qualified applications
submitted during the Application Period and determined to be conditionally qualified by
the City Manager, the City Manager shall refer the applications to the City Council with a
recommendation that the City Council approve the issuance of a regulatory permit to the
applicants, subject to full compliance with the provisions of this Section and any
conditions of approval. In the event three or more applications have been determined to
be qualified by the City Manager during the Application Period, the City Manager shall
submit the qualified applications and the City Manager report on each application to the
City Council for review and consideration. The qualified applications shall be
considered concurrently by the City Council at a public hearing noticed and conducted
pursuant to the provisions of Section 94.02.00 C of this Code. The City Council shall
consider the qualified applications after evaluating the applications on their respective
merits and the City Council may conditionally approve each qualified application or deny
one or more of such applications if the Council makes one or more of the findings listed
in Subsection H. The City Council shall rank all qualified applications in order of those
that best satisfy the requirements of this Section and provide the highest level of service
and opportunities for residents of Palm Springs. The two highest ranked qualified
applications shall be granted regulatory permits pursuant to this Section.
J. The obligations of the Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective, including all
on-going and continuing obligations required pursuant to any provision of this Section or
as may be provided in any conditional approval of the City Manager or the City Council,
shall be set forth in a covenant running with the land or the leasehold interest, approved
as to form by the City Attorney, and enforceable by the City. Such covenant shall also
provide that the cooperative or collective shall annually provide to the City Manager an
updated application containing the information contained in Subsection G. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, the City shall not assume any liability whatsoever, and
expressly does not waive sovereign immunity, with respect to medical cannabis, or for
the activities of any Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective. Upon receiving
possession of a regulatory permit as provided in this Section, the collective or
cooperative shall
1. Execute an agreement indemnifying the City;
2. Carry insurance in the amounts and of the types that are acceptable to the
City Manager;
3. Name the City as an additionally insured.
4. Agree to defend at its sole expense, any action against the City, its
agents, officers, and employees because of the issues of such approval.
5. Agree to reimburse the City for any court costs and attorney fees that the
City may be required to pay as a result of such action. The City may, at its sole
discretion, participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action, but
such participation shall not relieve the operator of its obligation hereunder.
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K. No persons shall engage in, conduct, or be permitted to engage in or conduct a
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective ("cooperative") unless each of the following
requirements is continually met:
1. The cooperative or collective shall comply fully with all of the applicable
restrictions and mandates set forth in state law, including without limitation the
Attorney General Guidelines.
2. The cooperative shall only be open between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and
7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
3. Physician's referrals shall be verified by the cooperative prior to inclusion
into the cooperative and at least every six months thereafter.
4. Each member of the cooperative or collective shall be a patient or a
qualified primary caregiver. The cooperative shall maintain patient records in a
secure location within the City of Palm Springs, available to the City Manager to
review upon demand. Such records shall include without limitation a copy of the
physician's referral and, if using a primary caregiver, a notarized written
authorization from the patient to be represented by such primary caregiver.
5. Cannabis shall be kept in a secured manner during business and non-
business hours.
6. If consumable Medical Cannabis products (including, but not limited to,
lollipops, brownies, cookies, ice cream, etc.) are present on site or offered for
distribution, then the applicant shall secure a County of Riverside Department
of Health Services approval for handling food products.
7. No cooperative or collective shall conduct or engage in the commercial
sale of any product, good, or service. All transactions between the cooperative or
collective and its members or the members' primary caregivers shall be made by
check or credit card; no cash transactions shall be allowed.
8. Any Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective must pay any applicable
sales tax pursuant to federal, state, and local law.
9. On-site smoking, ingestion, or consumption of cannabis or alcohol shall be
prohibited on the premises of the cooperative or collective. The term "premises"
as used in this Subsection includes the actual building, as well as any accessory
structures and parking areas. The building entrance to a cooperative or collective
shall be clearly and legibly posted with a notice indicating that smoking,
ingesting, or consuming marijuana on the premises or in the vicinity of the
cooperative or collective is prohibited.
10. Signage for the cooperative shall be limited to name of business only, and
no advertising of the goods and/or services shall be permitted.
11. Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold, stored, distributed, or consumed on
the premises. A cooperative or collective shall not hold or maintain a license
from the State Department of Alcohol Beverage Control to sell alcoholic
beverages, or operate a business that sells alcoholic beverages. In addition,
alcohol shall not be provided, stored, kept, located, sold, dispensed, or used on t
he premises of the cooperative or collective.
12. Except as provided in Subsection G-4, windows and/or entrances shall not
be obstructed and must maintain a clear view into the premises during business
hours.
13. No one under 18 years of age shall be a member of a cooperative or a
collective without written authorization of a parent or legal guardian.
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14. Physician services shall not be provided on the premises. "Physician
services" does not include social services, including counseling, help with
housing and meals, hospice and other care referrals which may be provided on
site.
15. The building in which the cooperative or collective is located as well as the
operations as conducted therein shall fully comply with all applicable rules,
regulations, and laws including, but not limited to, zoning and building codes, the
City's business license ordinances, the Revenue and Taxation Code, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Compassionate Use Act.
16. The cooperative or collective shall not distribute, sell, dispense, or
administer cannabis to anyone other than qualified patient members of the
cooperative or collective and their primary caregivers.
17. A Medical Marijuana Cooperative or Collective shall distribute only
cannabis cultivated on the premises or by a member of the cooperative or
collective or the member's primary caregiver. The cooperative or collective shall
do an inventory on the first business day of each month and shall record the total
quantity of each form of cannabis on the premises. These records shall be
maintained for two (2) years from the date created.
18. Provide the City Manager with the name, phone number, facsimile
number, and email address of an on-site community relations or staff person or
other representative to whom one can provide notice if there are operating
problems associated with the Cooperative. The Cooperative shall make every
good faith effort to encourage residents to call this person to try to solve
operating problems, if any, before any calls or complaints are made to the police
or planning departments.
19. Fully comply with and meet all operating criteria required pursuant to the
Compassionate Use Act, state law, the Attorney General Guidelines, the
provisions of this Section, and any specific, additional operating procedures and
measures as may be imposed as conditions of approval of the regulatory permit,
and all requirements set forth in the covenant as described in Subsection J, in
order to ensure that the operation of the cooperative or collective is consistent
with the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the community, qualified
patients, and primary caregivers, and will not adversely affect surrounding uses.
L. Enforcement
1. Recordings made by the security cameras shall be made available to the
City Manager upon verbal request, no search warrant or subpoena shall be
needed to view the recorded materials.
2. The City Manager shall have the right to enter the Medical Cannabis
Cooperative or Collective from time to time unannounced for the purpose of
making reasonable inspections to observe and enforce compliance with this
Section and all laws of the City and State of California.
3. Operation of the cooperative or collective in non-compliance with any
conditions of approval or standards of this Section shall constitute a violation
of the Municipal Code and shall be enforced pursuant to the provisions of this
Code.
4. The City Manager may revoke a medical marijuana regulatory permit if
any of the following, singularly or in combination, occur_
a. The City Manager determines that the cooperative or collective has
failed to comply with this Section, any condition or approval, or any
agreement or covenant as required pursuant to this Section; or
b. Operations cease for more than 90 calendar days, including during
change of ownership proceedings; or
G. Ownership is changed without securing a regulatory permit; or
d. The cooperative or collective fails to maintain 240 hours of security
recordings; or
e. The cooperative or collective fails to allow inspection of the security
recordings, the activity logs, or of the premise by authorized City officials.
5. Any decision regarding the approval, conditional approval, denial, or
revocation of a regulatory permit may be appealed to the City Council. Said
appeal shall be made by a notice of appeal from the person appealing within
thirty (30) days from the date of the decision. The appeal shall be accompanied
by a fee, which shall be established by resolution of the City Council amended
from time to time, and a written, verified declaration setting forth the basis for the
claim that the permit was improperly approved, denied, conditioned or revoked.
Filing of an appeal shall suspend the issuance of all regulatory permits until
action is taken on the appeal.
M. In the event a qualified cooperative or collective that receives an allotment under
Subsection I of this Section ceases to operate for any reason, the City Manager shall
reopen the allotment process and provide an opportunity for new applications to be
submitted. The time periods and process provided in Subsection I shall be applied to
the review and consideration of applications and the allotment of a regulatory permit.
SECTION 5. The City Council finds, determines, and declares that pursuant to public
testimony, reports from staff, and written or documentary evidence provided to this
Council, this Ordinance and the standards contained herein are appropriate and
warranted for various reasons as stated therein, including without limitation:
A. In 1996, the voters of the State of California approved Proposition 215, known as
the "Compassionate Use Act" ("Act") (codified as Health and Safety (H&S) Code §
11362.5 et seq.), which creates a limited exception from criminal liability under
California law as opposed to federal law for seriously ill persons who are in need of
medical marijuana for specified medical purposes and who obtain and use medical
marijuana under limited, specified circumstances.
B. In 2004, Senate Bill 420, known as the "Medical Marijuana Program Act"
("Program"), became law (codified as H&S Code § 11362.7 et seq.) which established a
statewide identification card program for qualified medical marijuana patients and their
primary caregivers and recognized a qualified right to collective and cooperative
cultivation of medical cannabis.
C. Section 11362.83 of the Program provides that local governments are free to
adopt laws that are consistent with State law, and as such, it is up to each jurisdiction to
decide if it will allow medical cannabis cooperatives or collectives, in what zones, and
under what regulations.
D. Recognizing that there is a potential conflict between Federal and State law, it is
the City Council's intention that this Chapter shall be deemed to comply with California
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law as established by the Act and the Program, which provide for the use of medical
cannabis by qualified patients and the dispensation of medical cannabis to qualified
patients by medical cannabis cooperatives or collectives, regarding the location and
operation of medical marijuana cannabis.
E. In August 2008, the Attorney General of the State of California set forth
Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Crown for Medical Use
("Guidelines") which Guidelines affirm the legality of medical marijuana collectives and
cooperatives under California law, but make clear that such entities cannot be operated
for profit, may not purchase marijuana from unlawful sources and must have a defined
organizational structure that includes detailed records proving that members are
legitimate patients.
F. The City Council determines that it is in the best interest of the residents of the
City to allow cooperatives and collectives that comply with the Guidelines to be
established and operated as permitted uses within specified manufacturing and
industrial zones subject to the regulations and restrictions provided in this Ordinance.
It is the City Council's intention that nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to:
1. Allow persons to engage in conduct that endangers others or causes a
public nuisance;
2) Allow the use of cannabis for non-medical purposes of any kind; or
3) Allow any activity relating to the cultivation, distribution, or consumption of
cannabis that is otherwise not permitted under State law.
G. The City Council finds that the actions contemplated by this Ordinance are
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061 (b) 3
and 15305 of the Guidelines, in that the amendment does not have the potential for
causing a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 6. No use, business, or activity of any kind which distributed marijuana prior to
the enactment of this Ordinance shall be deemed to have been a legally established
use under the provisions of the Zoning Code and such use shall not be entitled to claim
legal nonconforming status.
SECTION 7. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be
invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, or contravened by
reason of any preemptive legislation, then the provisions of Section 1 through 6,
inclusive, of this Ordinance shall be deemed invalid and unenforceable and the
dispensing of cannabis for any reason in any zone shall be deemed a prohibited use
under the City's Zoning Code. The City Council hereby declares that it would not have
adopted this Ordinance if any of the sections or provisions thereof may be declared
invalid or unconstitutional or contravened via legislation.
SECTION 8. By regulating Medical Cannabis Cooperatives and Collectives, the City of
Palm Springs is only assuming an undertaking to preserve the general welfare through
the provision of a method of implementing the Compassionate Use Act. The City
Council is not assuming, nor is it imposing on its officers and employees, an obligation
for which a breach thereof would expose the City to a liability in money damages to any
person who claims that such breach proximately caused injury. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, the City shall assume no liability whatsoever, and expressly does not
waive sovereign immunity, with respect to any provision of this Ordinance or for the
9
activities of any Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, any actions taken by a public officer or employee under the provisions
of this Chapter shall not become a personal liability of any public officer or employee of
the City. Nothing in this Ordinance shall be deemed or considered in any respects to
constitute authorization to violate any state or federal law.
SECTION 9. Prior to January 1, 2011, the City Manager shall file a report with the City
Council with recommendations based on factual data contained in the reports on the
operation of Medical Cannabis Facilities in the City and to make recommendations
regarding the modification, refinement, or amendment of this Ordinance, including, but
not limited to, recommendations regarding the number, size, and location of and
Cooperatives needed to provide medical cannabis to City residents consistent with the
provisions of the Compassionate Use Act.
SECTION 10. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take
effect thirty (30) days after passage.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF , 2009.
STEPHEN P. POUGNET
MAYOR
ATTEST:
James Thompson, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Douglas Holland, City Attorney
10
6"_a3s 1
12
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE) ss
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No. is a full, true and correct copy, and was introduced at a
regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on and adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council held on the day of , 2009 by
the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
James Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs,
California
11
01414 1
Page 1 of 1
Dolores Strickstein
From: C B Walter[cbwalter@greencafe.coml
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 7:16 PM
To: Steve Pougnet
Cc: Ginny Foat; Rick,Hutchenson@palmsprings-ca.gov; Chris Mills; Lee Weigel;
CityManager@palmsprings-ca.gov; cityclerk@palmsprings-ca.gov
Subject: Support of C. A. P. S.
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Red
This e-mail is being written with the hope that CA.P.S_ shall remain open as a dispensary. Since C.A.P.S.
occupied the space at the Amado Center, I've been a regular client.
In 1996, 1 retired from the City of Seattle on a medical disability, and one year ago, I was involved in an accident
where my car was totaled. I've been through four months of chiropractic twice weekly, and have been through
numerous tests. I now have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists and a pinched nerve in my left elbow. I've been
seeing a neuro muscular physical therapist/rolfer for twenty-six sessions at least thus far.
I live with a lot of pain, and nausea. Having safe access to medical cannabis is most important to my health. Not
only does it help with pain and nausea, but it also causes me to eat when I otherwise wouldn't care to. Having a
safe haven to purchase cannibas or edibles is crucial to the community who need it. I can't imagine clients turning
to the streets, and looking for drug dealers to purchase safe cannibas and associated products.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
C. Brian Walter
C.A.P.S. Patient#21
2/23/2009
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PUBLIC HEARING NOTIFICATION
(a
OFFICE OF THE. CITY CLERK
James Thompson, City Clerk
City Council
Meeting Date: March 4, 2009
Subject: Ordinance Nos. 1757 & 1758 - -
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathie Hart, CMC, Chief Deputy City Clerk, of the City of Palm Springs, California, do
hereby certify that Ordinance Nos. 1757 & 1758, adopted by the City Council on March 4,
2009, was published in the Desert Sun on March 11, 2009.
1 declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
v
Kathie Hart, CMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Dolores Strickstein, Secretary, of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby certify
that a copy of Ordinance Nos. 1757 & 1758 was posted at Office of the City Clerk, City Hall,
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Drive, on the exterior legal notice posting board and in the Office
of the City Clerk on March 6, 2009.
1 declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Dolores Stricks ein, Secretary
PROOF OF PUBLICATION This is space lot Counry Clerk's Filing Scamp
(2015.5.C.C.P)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
County of Riverside
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of Proof of Publication of
the County aforesaid;I am over the age of eighteen ---------------------
years,and not a party to or interested in the
above-entilled matter.1 am the principal cleric of a
printer of the, DESERT SUN PUBLISHINC
COMPANY a newspaper of general circulation, _
printed and published iu the city of Palm Springs, No 0912 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
County of Riverside,and which newspaper has been ORDINANCE NO.1756
adjudged a newspaper of general circulation by the AN ORDINANCE OF THE CfTT OF PALM
Superior Court of the County of Riverside,State of SPRINGS
PRI NCSIONSCALIFO0RNI h AzM5NDING
California under the date of March 24,1988.Case 8117.01-A, AND 92.17.1.131 OF, AND
Number 191236;that the notice,of Which the PALLM SPRINGS OZONING=CODE, AEL TO ATE-
annexed is a printed copy(set in type not smaller ING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS COOPERA -
TIVES AND COLLECTIVES AS PERMIT =
than non pariel,has been published in each regular TED USES IN THE C-M, M-1, AND M-2
and entire issue of said newspaper and not in any ZONES
SOpplemen[thereof on the fallowing dates,to wit: caaiuhdisrmo fstat moc Cannablo
cooperatives and Collectives that cnmp'y with tho
March 11`",2009 Goidellnes for the Secunt ,In Non-0 version of
Marijuana Grown for Medical Use issdcd by$he
- Attomayy General of tho State of California in Au-
..............
— ��-- ----------- gusf2009 are permiffed uses in the C.M(commer-
cial manufucluanq)M1i-1 sernca and man ifildw.
mg), and M-2 fmanufac unng)Zones subject to
........__�__�_� �.._�_�______�___ compliance with the procedural and operational
requiramunl,of fho Ordinance.The Ordinance im-
All in the year 2009 poses certain mstdCtions on operations,requires
regiJlafory permit to operatoa medical nb cannabis more
coopont,ve or collective,provicas
than two coo orahves or collectives will be al•
I certify(or declare)under penalty of perjury that the lowed in the coo rallies
and sets forth a process for the
foregoing is true and correct. evaluenon,,md approval of applications.
DAMES THCMPSON,City Clark of the City of
halm Spring; Califomla,doherebycondy that Or-
Dated at Palm Springs,California this----12`h,---day durance No.1758 it full true and correct coAy,
snd was Introduced td a'regular meatinp of Nc
palm Springs City Council on February 18,2009,
of--------- March, -------------- 2009 and adopted at a regular meahnp of tho City
e Council held on tho March 4,2009 by the follow—
inn vote:
AYES: Coun4imembera Feat Hutcheson,
_ and Mayor Pougnot
�— ------ NOESW CouncilmembermgOl
-- ___J ABSENT: Mayor Pm Tam Mills
_----. ` .........
ABSTAIN' Non:
CID
CC ._lr e James Thompson,City Clerk
City of Palm Springs,Caldorma
Published:3111109
a�
z 3 �
V�
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
ORDINANCE NO. 1758
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBSECTIONS 91.00.10-B, 92.15.01-
A, 92.17.01-A, AND 92-17.1.01 OF, AND ADDING SECTION
93.22.00 TO, THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE, RELATING
TO MEDICAL CANNABIS COOPERATIVES AND COLLECTIVES
AS PERMITTED USES IN THE C-M, M-1, AND M-2 ZONES
City Attorney Summary
This Ordinance establishes that medical cannabis cooperatives and collectives that
comply with the Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for
Medical Use issued by the Attorney General of the State of California in August 2008
are permitted uses in the C-M (commercial manufacturing), M-1 (service and
manufacturing), and M-2 (manufacturing) Zones subject to compliance with the
procedural and operational requirements of the Ordinance. The Ordinance imposes
certain restrictions on operations, requires a regulatory permit to operate a medical
cannabis cooperative or collective, provides that no more than two cooperatives or
collectives will be allowed in the City, and sets forth a process for the evaluation and
approval of applications-
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No_ 1758 is a full, true and correct copy, and was introduced at a
regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on February 18, 2009, and adopted at
a regular meeting of the City Council held on the March 4, 2009, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Foat, Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet
NOES: Councilmember Weigel
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Mills
ABSTAIN: None
Ames Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
ORDINANCE NO. 1758
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBSECTIONS 91.00.10-B, 92.15.01-
A, 92.17.01-A, AND 92.17.1.01 OF, AND ADDING SECTION
93.22.00 TO, THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE, RELATING
TO MEDICAL CANNABIS COOPERATIVES AND COLLECTIVES
AS PERMITTED USES IN THE C-M, M-1, AND M-2 ZONES
City Attorney Summary
This Ordinance establishes that medical cannabis cooperatives and
collectives that comply with the Guidelines for the Security and
Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use issued by the
Attorney General of the State of California in August 2008 are
permitted uses in the C-M (commercial manufacturing), M-1
(service and manufacturing), and M-2 (manufacturing) Zones
subject to compliance with the procedural and operational
requirements of the Ordinance. The Ordinance imposes certain
restrictions on operations, requires a regulatory permit to operate a
medical cannabis cooperative or collective, provides that no more
than two cooperatives or collectives will be allowed in the City, and
sets forth a process for the evaluation and approval of applications.
THE CITY COUNCIL. OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Section 91.00.10 of the Palm Springs Zoning Code is amended to add
the following definitions to subsection 8:
"Medical Cannabis" and "Medical Marijuana" are defined in strict accordance with
California Health and Safety Code sections 11362.5 and 11362.7 et seq.
"Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective" means five or more qualified
patients and caregivers who collectively or cooperatively cultivate and share physician-
recommended cannabis or marijuana in a manner strictly consistent with the Guidelines
for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use issued August
2008, by the Office of the Attorney General for the State of California, as may be
amended from time to time ("Attorney General Guidelines"), on file in the Office of the
City Clerk. The term "Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective" shall not include
dispensing by primary caregivers to qualified patients in the fallowing locations and
uses: a clinic licensed pursuant to Chapter 1 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety
Code; a health care facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Division 2 of the
Health and Safety Code; a residential care facility for persons with chronic life-
threatening illness licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.01 of Division 2 of the Health and
Safety Code; a residential care facility for the elderly licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.2 of
Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code; a residential hospice; or a home health
agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 of Division 2 of Health and Safety Code, as long
as such use complies strictly with applicable law including, but not limited to, Health and
Safety Code sections 11362.5 and 11362.7 et. seq., or the cultivation, storage, or use
1
e22a2a.1
by a qualified patient or patients or that patient's or patients' primary caregiver or
caregivers, incidental to a residential use by, and for the sole use of, the patient or
patients who reside at such residential use location.
SECTION 2. Section 92.15.01 of Chapter 92.00 of the Palm Springs Zoning Code is
amended by adding the following to subsection A:
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective, subject to the property development
standards contained in Section 93,22.00 of this Code.
SECTION 3. Section 92.17.01 of Chapter 92.00 of the Palm Springs Zoning Code is
amended by adding the following to subsection A:
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective, subject to the property development
standards contained in Section 93.22.00 of this Code.
SECTION 4. Section 92.17.1.01 of Chapter 9200. of the Palm Springs Zoning Code is
hereby amended by adding the following to subsection A:
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective, subject to the property development
standards contained in Section 9322.00 of this Code.
SECTION 5. Section 93.22.00 is added to the Palm Springs Municipal Code to read:
93.22.00 Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective Special Standards,
A. No land use entitlement, permit (including building permit) approval, site plan,
certificate of occupancy, zoning clearance, or other land use authorization for a Medical
Cannabis Cooperative shall be granted or permitted except in conformance with this
Section.
B. Medical Cannabis Cooperatives or Collectives shall be permitted, upon
application and approval of a regulatory permit in accordance with the criteria and
process set forth in this Section.
C. No Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective shall be established, developed,
or operated within five hundred (500) feet of a school, public playground or park, or any
residential zone property, child care or day care facility, youth center, or church, or
within one thousand (1000) feet of any other Medical Cannabis Cooperative or
Collective, and shall not be located on any property that is occupied with a commercial
retail use where such use is the primary use on such property. All distances shall be
measured in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures, from the nearest
point of the building or structure in which the Medical Cannabis Cooperative or
Collective is, or will be located, to the nearest property line of those uses describe in
this Subsection.
D. A Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective is not and shall not be approved
as an accessory use to any other use permitted by this Zoning Code.
2
622424 1
E. A Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective shall be parked at a rate of 1
space for every 250 gross square feet of the entire business space.
F. No more than two Medical Cannabis Cooperatives and/or Collectives shall be
maintained or operated in the City at any time. In the event more than two cooperatives
or collectives are eligible for regulatory permits under this Section, the City Council shall
review and evaluate all qualified applications and will approve issuance of regulatory
permits to the most qualified as determined through the Allotment Process described
below.
C. Prior to initiating operations and as a continuing requisite to conducting
operations, the legal representative of the persons wishing to operate a Medical
Cannabis Cooperative or Collective shall obtain a regulatory permit from the City
Manager under the terms and conditions set forth in this Section. The legal
representative shall file an application with the City Manager upon a form provided by
the City and shall pay a filing fee as established by resolution adopted by the City
Council as amended from time to time. An application for a regulatory permit for a
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective shall include, but shall not be limited to, the
following information:
1. An estimate of the size of the group of primary caregivers and/or qualified
patients who will be served by the non-profit cooperative; this description should
include whether delivery service will be provide and the extent of such service.
2. The address of the location from which the cooperative for which
application is made will be operated;
3. A site plan and floor plan of the premises denoting all the use of areas on
the premises, including storage, cultivation areas, exterior lighting, restrooms,
and signage.
4, A security plan including the following measures:
a. Security cameras shall be installed and maintained in good
condition, and used in an on-going manner with at least 120 concurrent
hours of digitally recorded documentation in a format approved by the City
Manager. The cameras shall be in use 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
The areas to be covered by the security cameras include, but are not
limited to, the storage areas, cultivation areas, all doors and windows, and
any other areas as determined by the City Manager.
b. The lease/business space shall be alarmed with an alarm system
that is operated and monitored by a recognized security company.
C. Entrance to the dispensing area and any storage areas shall be
locked at all times, and under the control of cooperative staff.
d. The business entrance(s) and all window areas shall be illuminated
during evening hours. The applicant shall comply with the City's lighting
standards regarding fixture type, wattage, illumination levels, shielding,
etc., and secure the necessary approvals and permits as needed.
e. All windows on the building that houses the cooperative or
collective shall be appropriately secured and all marijuana securely stored,
and a reliable, commercial alarm system shall be installed and maintained.
5. The name and address of any person who is managing or responsible for
the Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective's activities, and the names and
addresses of any employees, if any, and a statement as to whether such person
3
621414.1
or persons has or have been convicted of a crime(s), the nature of such
offense(s), and the sentence(s) received for such conviction(s).
6. The name and address of the owner and lessor of the real property upon
which the business is to be conducted. In the event the applicant is not the legal
owner of the property, the application must be accompanied with a notarized
acknowledgement from the owner of the property that a Medical Cannabis
Cooperative or Collective will be operated on his/her property.
7. Authorization for the City Manager to seek verification of the information
contained within the application.
8. Evidence that the cooperative or collective is organized as a bona fide
non-profit cooperative, affiliation, association, or collective of persons comprised
exclusively and entirely of qualified patients and the primary caregivers of those
patients in strict accordance with the Compassionate Use Act.
9. A statement in writing by the applicant that he or she certifies under
penalty of perjury that all the information contained in the application is true and
correct.
10. Any such additional and further information as is deemed necessary by
the City Manager to administer this Section.
H. The City Manager shall conduct a background check of any applicant for a
regulatory permit, including any person who is managing or is otherwise responsible for
the activities of the cooperative or collective, and any employee, and shall prepare a
report on the acceptability of the applicant's background and the suitability of the
proposed location. Upon completing the review process, the regulatory permit shall be
deemed a qualified application subject to the final certification and approval by the City
Council pursuant to the allotment process, unless the City Manager finds that the
applicant:
1. Has made one or more false or misleading statements, or omissions on
the application or during the application process; or
2. The proposed cooperative or collective is not allowed by state or local law,
statue, ordinance, or regulation, including this Code, at a particular location
3. Is not a Primary Caregiver or Qualified Patient or the legal representative
of the cooperative or collective; or
4. The applicant, or any person who is managing or is otherwise responsible
for the activities of the cooperative or collective, or any employee, if any, has
been convicted of a felony, or convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude, or the illegal use, possession, transportation, distribution or similar
activities related to controlled substances, with the exception of marijuana
related offenses for which the conviction occurred prior to passage of
Compassionate Use Act.. A conviction within the meaning of this section means
a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere.
5. The applicant. Or any person who is managing or is otherwise responsible
for the activities of the cooperative or collective has engaged in unlawful,
fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive business acts or practices.
6. Has not satisfied each and every requirement of this Section.
Based on the information set forth in the application and the City Manager's report, the
City Manager, or the City Council pursuant to the allotment process, may impose
reasonable terms and conditions on the proposed operations in addition to those
4
622424 1
specified in this Section. A regulatory permit issued pursuant to this Section is not
transferable.
I. The City Manager will accept applications for Medical Cannabis Cooperatives or
Collectives during a ninety (90) day period commencing on the effective date of this
Section. Such 90 day time period plus an additional 30 days to complete the reviews
and the preparation of the reports called for in this Section shall be considered the
"Application Period." In the event there are no more than two qualified applications
submitted during the Application Period and determined to be conditionally qualified by
the City Manager, the City Manager shall refer the applications to the City Council with a
recommendation that the City Council approve the issuance of a regulatory permit to the
applicants, subject to full compliance with the provisions of this Section and any
conditions of approval. In the event three or more applications have been determined to
be qualified by the City Manager during the Application Period, the City Manager shall
submit the qualified applications and the City Manager report on each application to the
City Council for review and consideration. The qualified applications shall be
considered concurrently by the City Council at a public hearing noticed and conducted
pursuant to the provisions of Section 94.02.00 C of this Code. The City Council shall
consider the qualified applications after evaluating the applications on their respective
merits and the City Council may conditionally approve each qualified application or deny
one or more of such applications if the Council makes one or more of the findings listed
in Subsection H. The City Council shall rank all qualified applications in order of those
that best satisfy the requirements of this Section and provide the highest level of service
and opportunities for residents of Palm Springs. The two highest ranked qualified
applications shall be granted regulatory permits pursuant to this Section.
J. The obligations of the Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective, including all
on-going and continuing obligations required pursuant to any provision of this Section or
as may be provided in any conditional approval of the City Manager or the City Council,
shall be set forth in a covenant running with the land or the leasehold interest, approved
as to form by the City Attorney, and enforceable by the City. Such covenant shall also
provide that the cooperative or collective shall annually provide to the City Manager an
updated application containing the information contained in Subsection G. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, the City shall not assume any liability whatsoever, and
expressly does not waive sovereign immunity, with respect to medical cannabis, or for
the activities of any Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective. Upon receiving
possession of a regulatory permit as provided in this Section, the collective or
cooperative shall
1. Execute an agreement indemnifying the City;
2. Carry insurance in the amounts and of the types that are acceptable to the
City Manager;
3. Name the City as an additionally insured.
4. Agree to defend at its sole expense, any action against the City, its
agents, officers, and employees because of the issues of such approval-
5- Agree to reimburse the City for any court costs and attorney fees that the
City may be required to pay as a result of such action. The City may, at its sole
discretion, participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action, but
such participation shall not relieve the operator of its obligation hereunder.
5
622424 1
K. No persons shall engage in, conduct, or be permitted to engage in or conduct a
Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective ("cooperative") unless each of the following
requirements is continually met:
1. The cooperative or collective shall comply fully with all of the applicable
restrictions and mandates set forth in state law, including without limitation the
Attorney General Guidelines.
2. The cooperative shall only be open between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and
7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
3. Physician's referrals shall be verified by the cooperative prior to inclusion
into the cooperative and at least every six months thereafter.
4. Each member of the cooperative or collective shall be a patient or a
qualified primary caregiver. The cooperative shall maintain patient records in a
secure location within the City of Palm Springs, available to the City Manager to
review upon demand. Such records shall include without limitation a copy of the
physician's referral and, if using a primary caregiver, a notarized written
authorization from the patient to be represented by such primary caregiver.
5. Cannabis shall be kept in a secured manner during business and non-
business hours.
6. If consumable Medical Cannabis products (including, but not limited to,
lollipops, brownies, cookies, ice cream, etc.) are present on site or offered for
distribution, then the applicant shall secure a County of Riverside Department
of Health Services approval for handling food products.
7. No cooperative or collective shall conduct or engage in the commercial
sale of any product, good, or service. All transactions between the cooperative or
collective and its members or the members' primary caregivers shall be made by
check or credit card; no cash transactions shall be allowed.
8. Any Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective must pay any applicable
sales tax pursuant to federal, state, and local law.
9. On-site smoking, ingestion, or consumption of cannabis or alcohol shall be
prohibited on the premises of the cooperative or collective. The term "premises"
as used in this Subsection includes the actual building, as well as any accessory
structures and parking areas. The building entrance to a cooperative or collective
shall be clearly and legibly posted with a notice indicating that smoking,
ingesting, or consuming marijuana on the premises or in the vicinity of the
cooperative or collective is prohibited.
10. Signage for the cooperative shall be limited to name of business only, and
no advertising of the goods and/or services shall be permitted.
11. Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold, stored, distributed, or consumed on
the premises. A cooperative or collective shall not hold or maintain a license
from the State Department of Alcohol Beverage Control to sell alcoholic
beverages, or operate a business that sells alcoholic beverages. In addition,
alcohol shall not be provided, stored, kept, located, sold, dispensed, or used on t
he premises of the cooperative or collective.
12. Except as provided in Subsection G-4, windows and/or entrances shall not
be obstructed and must maintain a clear view into the premises during business
hours.
13. No one under 18 years of age shall be a member of a cooperative or a
collective without written authorization of a parent or legal guardian.
6
622424.1
14. Physician services shall not be provided on the premises. "Physician
services" does not include social services, including counseling, help with
housing and meals, hospice and other care referrals which may be provided on
site.
15. The building in which the cooperative or collective is located as well as the
operations as conducted therein shall fully comply with all applicable rules,
regulations, and laws including, but not limited to, zoning and building codes, the
City's business license ordinances, the Revenue and Taxation Code, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Compassionate Use Act.
16. The cooperative or collective shall not distribute, sell, dispense, or
administer cannabis to anyone other than qualified patient members of the
cooperative or collective and their primary caregivers.
1T A Medical Marijuana Cooperative or Collective shall distribute only
cannabis cultivated on the premises or by a member of the cooperative or
collective or the member's primary caregiver. The cooperative or collective shall
do an inventory on the first business day of each month and shall record the total
quantity of each form of cannabis on the premises. These records shall be
maintained for two (2) years from the date created.
18. Provide the City Manager with the name, phone number, facsimile
number, and email address of an on-site community relations or staff person or
other representative to whom one can provide notice if there are operating
problems associated with the Cooperative. The Cooperative shall make every
good faith effort to encourage residents to call this person to try to solve
operating problems, if any, before any calls or complaints are made to the police
or planning departments.
19. Fully comply with and meet all operating criteria required pursuant to the
Compassionate Use Act, state law, the Attorney General Guidelines, the
provisions of this Section, and any specific, additional operating procedures and
measures as may be imposed as conditions of approval of the regulatory permit,
and all requirements set forth in the covenant as described in Subsection J, in
order to ensure that the operation of the cooperative or collective is consistent
with the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the community, qualified
patients, and primary caregivers, and will not adversely affect surrounding uses.
L. Enforcement
1. Recordings made by the security cameras shall be made available to the
City Manager upon verbal request; no search warrant or subpoena shall be
needed to view the recorded materials.
2. The City Manager shall have the right to enter the Medical Cannabis
Cooperative or Collective from time to time unannounced for the purpose of
making reasonable inspections to observe and enforce compliance with this
Section and all laws of the City and State of California.
3. Operation of the cooperative or collective in non-compliance with any
conditions of approval or standards of this Section shall constitute a violation
of the Municipal Code and shall be enforced pursuant to the provisions of this
Code.
4. The City Manager may revoke a medical marijuana regulatory permit if
any of the following, singularly or in combination, occur-
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a. The City Manager determines that the cooperative or collective has
failed to comply with this Section, any condition or approval, or any
agreement or covenant as required pursuant to this Section; or
b. Operations cease for more than 90 calendar days, including during
change of ownership proceedings; or
c. Ownership is changed without securing a regulatory permit; or
d. The cooperative or collective fails to maintain 240 hours of security
recordings; or
e. The cooperative or collective fails to allow inspection of the security
recordings, the activity logs, or of the premise by authorized City officials.
5. Any decision regarding the approval, conditional approval, denial, or
revocation of a regulatory permit may be appealed to the City Council. Said
appeal shall be made by a notice of appeal from the person appealing within
thirty (30) days from the date of the decision. The appeal shall be accompanied
by a fee, which shall be established by resolution of the City Council amended
from time to time, and a written, verified declaration setting forth the basis for the
claim that the permit was improperly approved, denied, conditioned or revoked.
Filing of an appeal shall suspend the issuance of all regulatory permits until
action is taken on the appeal.
M_ In the event a qualified cooperative or collective that receives an allotment under
Subsection I of this Section ceases to operate for any reason, the City Manager shall
reopen the allotment process and provide an opportunity for new applications to be
submitted. The time periods and process provided in Subsection I shall be applied to
the review and consideration of applications and the allotment of a regulatory permit.
SECTION 5. The City Council finds, determines, and declares that pursuant to public
testimony, reports from staff, and written or documentary evidence provided to this
Council, this Ordinance and the standards contained herein are appropriate and
warranted for various reasons as stated therein, including without limitation:
A. In 1996, the voters of the State of California approved Proposition 215, known as
the "Compassionate Use Act' ("Act") (codified as Health and Safety (H&S) Code §
11362.5 et seq.), which creates a limited exception from criminal liability under
California law as opposed to federal law for seriously ill persons who are in need of
medical marijuana for specified medical purposes and who obtain and use medical
marijuana under limited, specified circumstances.
B. In 2004, Senate Bill 420, known as the "Medical Marijuana Program Act"
("Program"), became law (codified as H&S Code § 11362.7 et seq.) which established a
statewide identification card program for qualified medical marijuana patients and their
primary caregivers and recognized a qualified right to collective and cooperative
cultivation of medical cannabis.
C. Section 11362.83 of the Program provides that local governments are free to
adopt laws that are consistent with State law, and as such, it is up to each jurisdiction to
decide if it will allow medical cannabis cooperatives or collectives, in what zones, and
under what regulations.
D. Recognizing that there is a potential conflict between Federal and State law, it is
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the City Council's intention that this Chapter shall be deemed to comply with California
law as established by the Act and the Program, which provide for the use of medical
cannabis by qualified patients and the dispensation of medical cannabis to qualified
patients by medical cannabis cooperatives or collectives, regarding the location and
operation of medical marijuana cannabis-
E. In August 2008, the Attorney General of the State of California set forth
Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use
("Guidelines") which Guidelines affirm the legality of medical marijuana collectives and
cooperatives under California law, but make clear that such entities cannot be operated
for profit, may not purchase marijuana from unlawful sources and must have a defined
organizational structure that includes detailed records proving that members are
legitimate patients.
F. The City Council determines that it is in the best interest of the residents of the
City to allow cooperatives and collectives that comply with the Guidelines to be
established and operated as permitted uses within specified manufacturing and
industrial zones subject to the regulations and restrictions provided in this Ordinance.
It is the City Council's intention that nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to:
1. Allow persons to engage in conduct that endangers others or causes a
public nuisance;
2) Allow the use of cannabis for non-medical purposes of any kind; or
3) Allow any activity relating to the cultivation, distribution, or consumption of
cannabis that is otherwise not permitted under State law.
G. The City Council finds that the actions contemplated by this Ordinance are
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061 (b) 3
and 16305 of the Guidelines, in that the amendment does not have the potential for
causing a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 6. No use, business, or activity of any kind which distributed marijuana prior to
the enactment of this Ordinance shall be deemed to have been a legally established
use under the provisions of the Zoning Code and such use shall not be entitled to claim
legal nonconforming status.
SECTION 7. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be
invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, or contravened by
reason of any preemptive legislation, then the provisions of Section 1 through 6,
inclusive, of this Ordinance shall be deemed invalid and unenforceable and the
dispensing of cannabis for any reason in any zone shall be deemed a prohibited use
under the City's Zoning Code. The City Council hereby declares that it would not have
adopted this Ordinance if any of the sections or provisions thereof may be declared
invalid or unconstitutional or contravened via legislation.
SECTION 8. By regulating Medical Cannabis Cooperatives and Collectives, the City of
Palm Springs is only assuming an undertaking to preserve the general welfare through
the provision of a method of implementing the Compassionate Use Act. The City
Council is not assuming, nor is it imposing on its officers and employees, an obligation
for which a breach thereof would expose the City to a liability in money damages to any
person who claims that such breach proximately caused injury. To the fullest extent
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permitted by law, the City shall assume no liability whatsoever, and expressly does not
waive sovereign immunity, with respect to any provision of this Ordinance or for the
activities of any Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, any actions taken by a public officer or employee under the provisions
of this Chapter shall not become a personal liability of any public officer or employee of
the City. Nothing in this Ordinance shall be deemed or considered in any respects to
constitute authorization to violate any state or federal law.
SECTION 9. Prior to January 1, 2011, the City Manager shall file a report with the City
Council with recommendations based on factual data contained in the reports on the
operation of Medical Cannabis Facilities in the City and to make recommendations
regarding the modification, refinement, or amendment of this Ordinance, including, but
not limited to, recommendations regarding the number, size, and location of and
Cooperatives needed to provide medical cannabis to City residents consistent with the
provisions of the Compassionate Use Act.
SECTION 10. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take
effect thirty (30) days after passage.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 41h DAY OF MARCH, 2009.
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No. 1758 is a full, true and correct copy, and was introduced at a
regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on February 18, 2009, and adopted at
a regular meeting of the City Council held on the March 4, 2009, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Foat, Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet
NOES: Councilmember Weigel
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tern Mills
ABSTAIN: None
James Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
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