CA: Civic Deliberations Of Marijuana Policy Due

Katelyn Baker;3112043 said:

With the majority of Inland voters supporting the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in November, local governments in the region, which have generally preferred blanket bans on even medicinal marijuana, will need to have discussions on what to do moving forward.

The passage of Proposition 64 presents state and local governments the ability to cash in on the multibillion-dollar marijuana market - be it the permitting of storefronts selling marijuana for recreational purposes, or associated businesses, including cultivation and manufacturing.

Of course, there are possible legal complications.

Marijuana is illegal under federal law for any purpose, regardless of whether state law allows it. While this has been a go-to argument among governments in refusing to allow anything related to medical marijuana, the federal government has been inconsistent in its application of federal drug laws with respect to marijuana in recent years.

Whereas the Obama administration has taken a hands-off approach, generally allowing states to develop and implement their own regulations over medical and recreational marijuana, it is unclear what approach the Trump administration will take.

Though Trump argued on the campaign trail that marijuana policy is best left to the states, his pick of drug warrior Jeff Sessions as attorney general sends a different signal.

This uncertainty is sure to complicate matters in the region, where voters approved medical dispensaries in San Bernardino, and approved taxes of marijuana cultivation in cities like San Jacinto.

Thus far, Corona, Riverside and San Jacinto are likely to discuss whether taxing and regulating marijuana businesses or cultivation is the right move for them. Hemet recently imposed a ban on recreational marijuana while the council decides what to do, while San Bernardino has to modify existing ordinances to bring them into compliance with voter-approved Measure O, which taxes and regulates dispensaries.

This is all worth discussing. Local leaders should look beyond personal preferences and consider what makes for the best policy. Inland residents recognize the failure of prohibition, and their elected leaders should take that into consideration.

News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Civic Deliberations Of Marijuana Policy Due
Author: The Editorial Board
Contact: 909-987-6397
Photo Credit: Teresa Crawford
Website: Daily Bulletin

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