San Jose again considers new rules for pot clubs

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Three years ago, San Jose's City Council tried to impose tighter restrictions on the cannabis cooperatives, but strong opposition got them to give up. Now, they are again considering the options.

The new regulations up for a vote include imposing a minimum distance, or buffer, for schools and other locations where children are.

Another regulation would require the marijuana to be San Jose grown and prohibit concentrated cannabis.

Opponents are out in full force at the City Hall as the council tries again to tighten the rules on the 78 cooperatives currently operating in San Jose. All but 7-10 of them would have to move to comply with the buffer requirement.

Some operators say the new regulations will put some of the pot clubs out of business, and that would not stop people from buying marijuana from other sources.

The council is not taking public testimony Tuesday. It did so a week ago. The city's staff is busy answering questions about the impact of the regulations. It's an election year, and those supporting tighter regulations are here, putting silent pressure on the council to protect children and their neighborhoods.

UPDATE: The City Council delayed the vote Tuesday night and will take up the proposed regulations again on June 3.