March 18, 2011

Minutes
Friday, March 18, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 400
San Francisco, California

1. Call to order and roll call
The meeting was called to order by Task Force Chair Albert Blais at 9:30 a.m.
Present:
Albert Blais --Chair
Sarah Shrader – Vice Chair
Erich Pearson
Michelle Aldrich
Maureen Burns
Stephanie Tucker
David Goldman
Shona Gochenaur
Mary Schroeder
Patrick Goggin
Kevin Reed
Absent: Raymond Gamley (Ill), Martin Olive (Ill)

2. Approval of Minutes of February 18, 2011 meeting
There were no public comments. Minutes were approved.

3. Approval of Agenda for March 18, 2011 meeting
Discussion was held amending the agenda:
• Adding a discussion item of the upcoming two new seats to the Task Force, placed between items #6 and #7
• Reverse order of items #10 and #11
• Dropping item #15
• Changing item #13 to discussion and public comments only.
Public comments were made. Agenda was approved as amended.

4. Public Comments
There were no public comments.

5. Review of Legislative Purposed of Task Force
The vice chair reviewed the legislative purpose and tasks of the Task Force as written in the ordinance of the formation of the Medical Cannabis Task Force.

6. Committee and working group reports:
Patrick Goggin reported for the Legal Committee.
• Completed review of the gardening guidelines – issue of what is a nursery
• Put a disclaimer on guidelines
• Designated individuals to work on the three items the Legal Committee is responsible as lead committee for the annual report to the BOS
• The nursery guidelines have been sent back to the Cultivation Committee
• Concern over hastily posting guidelines to website. Want to make sure it is right before finalizing

Elise Cleveland reported for the Patient Advocacy Committee.
• Committee voted to allow two excused absences within 6 months
• Family working group was created
• MCD not discussed
• Jae Sohn is the committee secretary

Michelle Aldrich reported for the Cultivation Committee
• Did not have quorum so no meeting held.

Stephanie Tucker on the Public Relations/Special Hearings Committee.
• First meeting held March 17, 2011
• Committee renamed to Outreach Committee, will handle media, civic, public, and community outreach, media relations, and special meetings
• Planning to meet twice a month until annual report is complete
• Outreach material to departments and BOS
• Developing mediation process
• Discussed advertising guidelines for delivery
• Asking MCTF to hold 2 meetings in April
Suggesting next meeting on April 15 asking Mary Kessler, Deborah Walker, and Dan Sider to speak on cultivation.

7. [New discussion item added] Two new seats on the Task Force.
Discussion held on meeting candidates for the additional two seats on the Task Force. Additional meeting to be scheduled April 29 to meet candidates and discuss medical cannabis dispensary. No public comments were made. Task force approved additional meeting in April.

8. Update on Progress of Annual Report to Board of Supervisors
Call to action on all committees to complete actions to get to the Legal Committee for review.

9. Review and vote on any new applications for all committees.
Erich Pearson will leave the Legal Committee. Misty Puleo presented herself applying for the Legal Committee. Stephanie Tucker removed herself from the Patient Advocacy Committee. Randi Webster resigned from the Legal and Patient Advocacy Committees.

Motion to have Caren Woodson on the Outreach Committee. Public comments were made. Vote of 5-5 tie vote, and not passed.

Shona Gochenhaur removed herself from the Outreach Committee. Maureen Burns and David Goldman to join the Outreach Committee. No public comments were made. Maureen Burns and David Goldman were approved.

For the Outreach Committee Brent Saupe, James Koutsoukos, Conrad Wade, Michael Aldrich, and Jean Tellyrand presented themselves. Public comments were made. All were approved onto the Outreach Committee.

10. Recess taken.

11. Veterans Working Group or Committee
Discussion to create a Veterans Committee. Maureen Burns to chair, Stephanie Tucker, and Shona Gochenhaur as members. Public comments were made. Task Force approved creation of committee and the three members.
12. Potential Intro package from MCTF to City Departments
Stephanie Tucker presented draft letter and items to be sent to city departments and Board of Supervisors. Discussion held with suggested amendments. Public comments were made. The Task Force approved for Stephanie Tucker to finalize letter and send it out.

13. Update on Letter to City Attorney & Typo Legislation
Sarah Shrader gave an update on the letter to the City Attorney and Typo Legislation. Many attempts by Task Force members to reach out to Supervisors and departments on the Typo Legislation were made. Discussion to continue at next meeting.

14. Compassion Programs; Affordability & Selection
Albert Blais spoke on issues regarding Compassion Programs. Discussion held and public comments were heard by the Task Force.

15. Topics for consideration at future task force meetings
Remaining meeting items to be moved to next meeting:
• Compassion Programs; Affordability & Selection
• Update on Letter to City Attorney & Typo Legislation
• Invite 3 speakers to the next meeting, Larry Kessler, Dan Sider, Debra Walker
• Review/Approve website contents [Discussion & Action Item]
• Update on police activities in San Francisco regarding medical cannabis gardens [Discussion & Action Item]
Two meetings planned for April.

16. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 12:02 noon.

Written by Carol Lei.