Now that the federal government has said it would not prosecute medical marijuana dispensaries that operate within state law, cities throughout California are reexamining their stance on whether to allow cannabis clubs permission to operate.

Newly appointed U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced last month that medical marijuana dispensaries acting appropriately under state law would no longer face federal raids, but according to a recent Acorn survey of mayors and other city officials, cannabis clubs in Moorpark, Camarillo and the Conejo and Simi valleys are still not welcome.

Moratoriums in place

Following the passage of Prop 215, the 1996 California voterapproved law that decriminalized the use of medical marijuana, many cities passed moratoriums or laws outlawing the cannabis clubs in support of the federal government's anti-drug stance.

Various city officials told the Acorn these local prohibitions would likely remain in effect despite the shift in federal policy under the Obama administration.

Under California law, cities retain the right to prohibit certain businesses if they choose.

Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber said he was disappointed in Washington's decision to soften its stance on medical marijuana.

Thousand Oaks Mayor Tom Glancy said the use of medical marijuana may be beneficial, but that it was "far too easy to misuse."

In Calabasas, Mayor Jon Wolfson said his city is proposing a new ban on medical marijuana facilities.

"This is based on past public testimony at both the (Calabasas) Public Safety Commission and the Planning Commission concerning crime and safety concerns associated with such facilities," Wolfson said. "Not speaking on behalf of the council but speaking personally, I would not support legalizing marijuana for the purposes of additional tax revenue to the city."

Moorpark Mayor Janice Parvin said her city's moratorium on pot dispensaries will likely continue.

"Studies show that they attract more crimes," Parvin said.

Camarillo's moratorium on dispensaries is coming to an end July 8, but attorney Brian Pierik said the City Council may extend the moratorium for another year. The temporary ban on Camarillo pot clubs was passed because the city's municipal code didn't address the matter, he said.

Pierik pointed out that the federal government's promise not to raid California dispensaries in no way makes pot use legal.

"It's still against federal law," he said. "The fact that the federal government may not enforce the law doesn't mean it's not still a law.

Giving pot a thought

Westlake Village has taken a less punitive stance.

Mayor Robert Slavin said a marijuana dispensary could "potentially move in" as long as it complied with Westlake ordinances.

"I am a firm believer in states' rights," Slavin said. "Any time the federal government relinquishes power to the state, it's a good thing."

While Slavin sees the benefits of medical marijuana for people with cancer and other serious illnesses, he said he has "misgivings" about legalizing pot for all Californians. He fears it would usher in a "whole host of issues."

Taxing pot for revenue?

The debate over decriminalization of marijuana recently grabbed national headlines when Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (DSan Francisco) proposed Assembly Bill 390.

If passed, AB 390 would legalize the possession, sale and cultivation of marijuana. According to proponents, the bill would open the door for pot to be taxed, which could produce billions in revenues at a time when governments are struggling to keep finances intact.

Increased revenue or not, many elected officials like Simi Valley Mayor Paul Miller still aren't buying the legalization argument.

The city's former chief of police, Miller called AB 390 "absurd."

He said state leaders appear to be doing things "backwards."

"If the state had been doing its job all along, we wouldn't be in this fix," Miller said regarding the budget crisis.

Simi adopted a ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in December 2006 without opposition, and Miller doesn't envision a change on his watch, regardless of the federal ruling prohibiting raids on legal outlets.

"I don't think it will ever happen, and it's a bad way to go," Miller said.

"It's the same as alcohol; people are irresponsible when it comes to such things; I just don't favor it," he added.

But Moorpark City Councilmember Roseann Mikos thinks it's time that a marijuana tax be considered. She compared the pot issue to prohibition in the 1920s, when alcohol was outlawed.

"The prohibition was a complete failure," Mikos said. "All it did was increase organized crime."