S.F. approves few pot club applications

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Efforts to regulate San Francisco's cannabis clubs have gotten off to a slow start, officials and club operators say.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday that although the city's Board of Supervisors approved legislation requiring medical cannabis clubs to get city permits in late 2005, few permits have been issued.

The newspaper said the city has issued 10 permits to cannabis clubs, with 13 more in progress. Officials said there are currently 23 pot clubs in the city, compared with more than 40 when the regulatory process began in 2005.

While five applications have been denied, many medical marijuana dispensaries apparently closed on their own, the Chronicle reported.

"The process is difficult -- that's why less than half of the clubs have completed it," said Charlie Pappas, who owns Health and Wellness Alternatives. "But I really give city officials and staff credit for trying to make it work and not dragging their feet."