A Closer Look at the Marijuana Collective Application

San Mateo County resident Rob Bueno last Monday to establish what would be the county’s only medical marijuana collective. The proposed location is in unincorporated San Mateo County at 2853 El Camino Real.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s department and Planning and Building department will review Bueno’s application to determine whether or not it meets the legal criteria of a medical marijuana collective and complies with county ordinances. The county’s License Board will then make its decision based on the recommendation from the two departments.

While some applicants thoroughly research the demand and effort of running a collective, Sheriff’s Risk Manager Tom Merson said many do not.

“While some have extensively researched the location, some people just want to make a lot of money,” Merson told Patch. To ensure that the collective is not for profit organization, Bueno had to ensure various criteria in his application.

All members of the collective would have to sign an agreement stating they would not share or sell medicine outside the collective, creating a “closed circuit” within the collective. Should members violate the agreement, the membership would be terminated and law officials would be notified. Members must also attend meetings regarding state, county and collective rules and regulations.

Doctor’s orders are required for any transaction. Members can only receive a maximum of two ounces of marijuana per week unless a doctor’s orders state otherwise. The collective would not have more than the legal limit of medicine and make deposits daily.

No marijuana enhanced, edibles, concentrates or drinkable products would be provided by the proposed Mid-Peninsula Health Center.

The applicant also states that there would be detailed record keeping or members’ contribution of funds, source of the medicine and transactions. Receipts would be printed for each trade.

There is no fee to become a member and there is no limit on how many members the collective has. Members do not have to reside in San Mateo County but must show California residency.

There is no fee for membership, but donations are accepted. MPHC would ensure that operations and overhead are being covered by donations, but without excess to result in zero profit at the end of the year. Overhead costs include: rent, accounting fees, depreciation, insurance, interest and legal fees. Operating costs include repairs, supplies, taxes, telephone bills, travel, utilities, security, furniture rental, equipment and payroll salaries. Any excess funds would be donated to the community.

Rob Bueno is currently the only employee and would be the board president. He would be the person who prepares and packages the marijuana. There is no limit on the number of members who may belong. As a mutual benefit corporation. Bueno plans to file for IRS tax exemption status but not state exempt tax status.

The owner of the El Camino property, Donald Williams, approved the tenant’s proposed operations at the site.