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Medical Marijuana Shop Will Quit If City Asks For It
A Torrance medical marijuana outlet is in limbo even though the City Council has voted against licensing such businesses.
Ian Hanigan | Daily Breeze | 08/05/06

For such an unremarkable storefront with nary a clue to indicate what's inside, Torrance's only medical marijuana dispensary has attracted a lot of attention.

This week, City Council reacted to the arrival of Green Cross of Torrance by voting unanimously to deny business licenses to all future cannabis co-ops, as well as other establishments that violate federal law.

But the ordinance, which was adopted Tuesday night after a parade of public speakers, did not specifically spell out the fate of Green Cross, leaving its proprietors -- and customers -- to wait and wonder.

Lt. Rod Irvine of the Torrance Police Department said there were no imminent plans to shut the facility down as a result of the new rules, which go into effect at the end of the month. But all businesses will have to sign a declaration affirming they are not in violation of federal, state or local laws to renew their permits in December.

"Obviously, it will become a question when their license comes up for renewal," Irvine said.

While Green Cross remained open Friday, Director Rafael Chavez said he had no idea what would happen next or whether his license could be revoked early. Either way, he said, he has every intention of working with the city.

"If they want us out, we'll get out," he said. "We don't want to stay there if we're not wanted."

Chavez said his lawyer will look to the City Attorney's Office for advice on what to do next. As for the council's decision, he said he wasn't shocked, given Torrance's conservative reputation.

"I'm not mad at all," Chavez said Friday. "I'm just trying to bring something good to the community that the people wanted."

Though the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996 allows doctors to recommend marijuana for specific medical ailments -- including cancer, anorexia, chronic pain and AIDS -- possession and use of the drug remains illegal under federal law.

Given the contradicting statutes, medical marijuana supporters had argued that the city should side with the state voters who passed the initiative known as the Compassionate Use Act; others insisted Torrance shouldn't knowingly license any business that violates federal drug laws.

A staff report accompanying the local ordinance said there were roughly 13 other dispensaries in and around the South Bay, including co-ops in Palos Verdes Estates, Lawndale, El Segundo, San Pedro and Long Beach. Though the report indicated there also was one in Redondo Beach, that facility is not currently open.

Tuesday night's speakers in Torrance included a woman in a wheelchair who had multiple sclerosis and severe lower-back arthritis, a man suffering with AIDS-related symptoms and a 27-year-old who sustained a crippling head injury on a high school football field.

Most said pot relieved their pain without the negative side effects associated with prescription drugs, including Vicodin and Valium, and they urged council members to regulate marijuana distributors while ensuring continued local access.

But there were other speakers who implored the council to keep dispensaries -- and their central crop -- out of the city.

"I think it would be a blight on the face of Torrance," said resident Newton Young, "and I don't want Torrance to have that reputation."

In the end, the council sympathized with pain-sufferers but agreed with the latter group.

Green Cross attorney Jonathan M. Cole said he was not shocked. "It's a little disappointing though, basically because of the people who came out and what seems to be overwhelming support for Green Cross and the services they provide," he said. "It just seems they disregarded all that and decided to ramrod it through."

But toward the end of Tuesday's meeting, Councilman Paul Nowatka said the ordinance wasn't just in line with federal law, it was consistent with the city's own values. He noted that in years past, officials have made similar efforts to keep undesirable businesses such as tattoo parlors and pornography dealers out of Torrance.

"This is a community that likes to keep itself squeaky clean," Nowatka said, "and we've done everything to protect that."

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