Here in California, the game of "You Might Be Dumb But We're Dumber" continues merrily along in regard to devising medicinal marijuana controls/ordinances and it would appear each city and small town is determined to be dumber than the last. I offer up Martinez Ca as the current leading example of "stupid is as stupid does..." I cant help but imagine, the powers that think they be and who supposedly ramrod the so way not bustling berg of Martinez, if left to it's their own fears and misguided ignorance, would be perfectly happy with a designated jail cell where the Otis's of Martinez RFD, can come & medicate, sleep it off and then be released in the morning, all under the watchful eye of the local Barney...MF
Footnote: I mean really, bullet proof glass??
MARTINEZ City leaders on Monday tweaked a proposal to allow medical
marijuana dispensaries, but they did not address most of the concerns
advocates have raised.
Vice Mayor Lara DeLaney and Councilman Mike Menesini, who sit on the city's
Public Safety Subcommittee, agreed to consider additional changes before the
draft ordinance is presented to the full City Council next month.
Martinez has had an ordinance allowing medical marijuana dispensaries on the
books for nearly 10 years, but has never approved one. In the past few
months, several groups seeking to open dispensaries have approached
Martinez. In response to Police Chief Tom Simonetti's call for a ban on the
facilities, the Public Safety Subcommittee has been considering changes to
the existing ordinance.
The draft ordinance transfers authority for approving dispensaries from the
Planning Commission to the city manager. The license would be valid for one
year and is eligible for annual renewal. Once the council adopts the
ordinance, one dispensary could operate for a six-month trial period with a
maximum of three allowed in the city.
On Monday, DeLaney and Menesini agreed to raise the minimum age for
dispensary employees from 18 to 21, to reduce the required distance from a
public park from 1,000 feet to 300 feet, to permit dispensaries to deliver
to patients and to allow sales of some devices, such as vaporizers.
However, they did not resolve questions about some of the key provisions of
the ordinance such as restricting each dispensary to serving a maximum of
500 patients per month, capping monthly visits at 1,000, limiting
dispensaries to a total floor area of 1,000 square feet and banning cash
sales.
"The number of patients is less important than the viability of the
dispensary and the way the dispensary is run," Menesini said.
City Attorney Jeff Walter, who drafted the ordinance, argued that he
restricted the number of patients and visits to limit traffic at the
dispensary and minimize impacts on neighbors.
While DeLaney endorsed the concept of allowing "holistic" dispensaries that
offer yoga and massage, Menesini was unsure. However, he said the ordinance
should not "overload" responsible dispensaries with regulations other
businesses don't have to abide by, such as installing bulletproof glass.
They struck that condition.
Other provisions include criminal background checks for licensees,
requirement for on-site security personnel and cameras, and set hours of
operation.
It also prohibits dispensaries from opening within 1,000 feet of schools,
churches with schools or day care centers and facilities serving young
people. Dispensaries must be located in commercial zoning districts no
closer than 300 feet to residential parcels.
Christina Mota, 42, said she gets medical marijuana from the Berkeley
Patients Group to help her deal with symptoms associated with multiple
sclerosis.
"I would love for my tax dollars to support my community," said Mota, who
has lived in Martinez for about six years.
Under the current proposal, patients may receive up to one ounce of dried
marijuana per visit, but Mota believes the city should allow people to get
as much as their doctors prescribe.
Of the 34 people who submitted comments on the ordinance including three
people who don't live in Martinez 11 supported it, 20 were opposed and
three indicated they would support the rules with a few changes. Critics
said dispensaries would increase crime and lower property values.
Footnote: I mean really, bullet proof glass??
MARTINEZ City leaders on Monday tweaked a proposal to allow medical
marijuana dispensaries, but they did not address most of the concerns
advocates have raised.
Vice Mayor Lara DeLaney and Councilman Mike Menesini, who sit on the city's
Public Safety Subcommittee, agreed to consider additional changes before the
draft ordinance is presented to the full City Council next month.
Martinez has had an ordinance allowing medical marijuana dispensaries on the
books for nearly 10 years, but has never approved one. In the past few
months, several groups seeking to open dispensaries have approached
Martinez. In response to Police Chief Tom Simonetti's call for a ban on the
facilities, the Public Safety Subcommittee has been considering changes to
the existing ordinance.
The draft ordinance transfers authority for approving dispensaries from the
Planning Commission to the city manager. The license would be valid for one
year and is eligible for annual renewal. Once the council adopts the
ordinance, one dispensary could operate for a six-month trial period with a
maximum of three allowed in the city.
On Monday, DeLaney and Menesini agreed to raise the minimum age for
dispensary employees from 18 to 21, to reduce the required distance from a
public park from 1,000 feet to 300 feet, to permit dispensaries to deliver
to patients and to allow sales of some devices, such as vaporizers.
However, they did not resolve questions about some of the key provisions of
the ordinance such as restricting each dispensary to serving a maximum of
500 patients per month, capping monthly visits at 1,000, limiting
dispensaries to a total floor area of 1,000 square feet and banning cash
sales.
"The number of patients is less important than the viability of the
dispensary and the way the dispensary is run," Menesini said.
City Attorney Jeff Walter, who drafted the ordinance, argued that he
restricted the number of patients and visits to limit traffic at the
dispensary and minimize impacts on neighbors.
While DeLaney endorsed the concept of allowing "holistic" dispensaries that
offer yoga and massage, Menesini was unsure. However, he said the ordinance
should not "overload" responsible dispensaries with regulations other
businesses don't have to abide by, such as installing bulletproof glass.
They struck that condition.
Other provisions include criminal background checks for licensees,
requirement for on-site security personnel and cameras, and set hours of
operation.
It also prohibits dispensaries from opening within 1,000 feet of schools,
churches with schools or day care centers and facilities serving young
people. Dispensaries must be located in commercial zoning districts no
closer than 300 feet to residential parcels.
Christina Mota, 42, said she gets medical marijuana from the Berkeley
Patients Group to help her deal with symptoms associated with multiple
sclerosis.
"I would love for my tax dollars to support my community," said Mota, who
has lived in Martinez for about six years.
Under the current proposal, patients may receive up to one ounce of dried
marijuana per visit, but Mota believes the city should allow people to get
as much as their doctors prescribe.
Of the 34 people who submitted comments on the ordinance including three
people who don't live in Martinez 11 supported it, 20 were opposed and
three indicated they would support the rules with a few changes. Critics
said dispensaries would increase crime and lower property values.
