California, Riverbank

[palmspringsbum]

Riverbank will extend marijuana moratorium

BEE STAFF REPORTS


Last Updated: April 30, 2006, 05:22:15 AM PDT


RIVERBANK — Medical marijuana dispensaries will be banned from opening here at least through the end of the year.

The City Council, which passed a moratorium in March, voted 4-0 last week to extend it 10 months and 15 days to give more time to contemplate restrictions or a permanent ban. Councilwoman Virginia Madueño was absent.

"We will see what happens between now and then," Police Chief Art Voortman said. "We didn't have adequate time in 45 days to figure out and study the whole issue and then present it to council."

He said he should have a proposal before the City Council by early next year. By law, the city can extend the moratorium one last time, for a year, when it expires in March 2007.