Jacob Bell
New Member
BARSTOW, CA--The City Council will vote at its next meeting on an ordinance that would prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries in Barstow.
Mayor Joe Gomez and Councilman Willie Hailey opposed adding the ordinance to the council agenda in two weeks, but the move passed Monday on a 3-2 vote.
Gomez said there may be a "silent majority" of Barstow residents who would be against the prohibition but may not be speaking up on the sensitive topic. The mayor said the city should consider a ballot initiative to gauge public opinion, and that he wanted to research other towns that allow dispensaries.
There are currently no dispensaries in Barstow. City Planner Mike Massamini said there is one application to start a dispensary, which was filed before the city passed two moratoriums on them in 2010 to research the issue more. The year-long moratorium just ended, and Massamini said the applicant is waiting for the city's final decision to move forward.
The ordinance set to come back in two weeks would protect patients who use or grow medical marijuana under a doctor's recommendation but prohibits dispensaries.
The Planning Commission recommended the council hear the ordinance after the Department of Justice released a memo June 29 stating the federal government will not protect those who facilitate the distribution of medical marijuana, regardless of state laws.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: vvdailypress.com
Author: Sara Mitchell
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Freedom Communications
Website: Barstow to vote on prohibiting pot shops
Mayor Joe Gomez and Councilman Willie Hailey opposed adding the ordinance to the council agenda in two weeks, but the move passed Monday on a 3-2 vote.
Gomez said there may be a "silent majority" of Barstow residents who would be against the prohibition but may not be speaking up on the sensitive topic. The mayor said the city should consider a ballot initiative to gauge public opinion, and that he wanted to research other towns that allow dispensaries.
There are currently no dispensaries in Barstow. City Planner Mike Massamini said there is one application to start a dispensary, which was filed before the city passed two moratoriums on them in 2010 to research the issue more. The year-long moratorium just ended, and Massamini said the applicant is waiting for the city's final decision to move forward.
The ordinance set to come back in two weeks would protect patients who use or grow medical marijuana under a doctor's recommendation but prohibits dispensaries.
The Planning Commission recommended the council hear the ordinance after the Department of Justice released a memo June 29 stating the federal government will not protect those who facilitate the distribution of medical marijuana, regardless of state laws.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: vvdailypress.com
Author: Sara Mitchell
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Freedom Communications
Website: Barstow to vote on prohibiting pot shops
