City May Hold Off on Marijuana Clubs

In response to an attempt by medicinal marijuana advocates to establish a distribution center in Garden Grove, city officials tonight are expected to approve a moratorium on so-called cannabis clubs.

Council members will consider the temporary prohibition on organizations attempting to distribute marijuana under terms of Proposition 215. The move comes on the heels of a newly amended ordinance allowing the revocation of business licenses issued to organizations found to be illegal.

“We want to put the clubs on hold until we figure out the real issues and how to make sure that land uses in the city are compatible,” City Manager George Tindall said.

Tindall said the moratorium will give the city time to research the issue. California voters in 1996 approved the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, but questions remain on the legality of distributing the drug.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Ave.