Two Alameda County pot clubs ordered to close

San Jose Mercury News, USA
Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. - Two medical marijuana clubs in Alameda County were ordered to shut down within 10 days or file a final appeal to keep their doors open.

A committee of county officials this week rejected requests by the Alameda County Resource Center and the Health Center, both in an unincorporated area near San Leandro, to overturn shutdown orders issued by the sheriff's department last month, said County Counsel Richard Winnie.

The orders came after officials determined the clubs were in violation of a new dispensary law passed in June.

The Alameda County Resource Center, which is located next door to an Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship hall, violates a provision banning pot clubs near "drug recovery facilities," officials said.

The Health Center violates the new law by being within 1,000 feet of two neighborhood schools.

County officials said they expect that the clubs will appeal the findings.

Jack Norton, owner of the Health Center, did not immediately return a telephone call Wednesday. Officials at Resource Center refused to comment.