Fresno Marijuana Dispensary Open for Business | ABC30 Fresno

kfsn

By ABC30

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Fresno, CA /*Medmar Clinic*/ is in a row of businesses with no major signs. A closer look shows hours are posted. And soon, patients can use a credit card to purchase /*medical marijuana*/. /*Rick Morse*/ is the dispensary's president, "I knew as an advocate if I came to Fresno and attempted to do it, there would be scrutiny. And of course there was. We withstood the scrutiny and we're still open for business."

In January, city leaders put a hold on the clinic saying a site plan needed to be filed. We went to City Hall and found Morse has an active business license. But city staff had a hard time classifying the clinic because medical marijuana dispensaries are new to the city.

/*George Boyadjian*/ recently started the /*Cannabis Career Institute*/ based in Fresno. While it's only a website right now, Boyadjian plans to offer a seminar in June teaching people how to operate a dispensary and how to grow medical marijuana. He said he will screen those who take his class. Boyadjian said, "If a person doesn't care about their well being and their future, they can do it illegally. They can get raided and go to jail."

Robin who didn't want to give her last name pulled up to us while we were filming Medmar. Robin said, "No way, do I think this is a place for people to "go smoke pot". I don't see that. I see it like as a medical dispensary just like a pharmacy." Robin said she used Medmar several times and planned to use it again when her doctor gives her another prescription.

The City Attorney James Sanchez told one of our reporters that his office is now trying to formulate a legal strategy to close Medmar. That action could range from civil penalties to criminal charges.