Jacob Bell
New Member
BENICIA -- Planning commissioners have waved off a City Hall plan to make permanent a two-year, temporary ban on medical marijuana dispensaries.
With the moratorium set to expire in March, the city staff had proposed an ordinance prohibiting such establishments for City Council consideration Feb. 1.
The planning meeting Wednesday wanted more information about the proposed ordinance before making a recommendation. They wanted to know more about the number of users, revenue from such clubs, and how users get medical clearance to buy marijuana legally.
Several commissioners said they know people who use marijuana for medical purposes and said they believe regulated facilities have a place in Benicia. Three audience members spoke in favor of the dispensaries.
"A lot of this stuff gets plastered with prejudice," said Commissioner Richard Bortolazzo. "We should have a complete study."
Commissioner Rod Sherry said he felt the staff's recommendation was being "jammed down our throats" without adequate study or options.
Benjamin Hirsch said his parents both use marijuana for medical reasons and that they and other users should not have to go elsewhere, particularly crime-ridden spots in Vallejo, to get it.
"I don't see why we can't have a nice, beautiful dispensary here," Hirsch said. To say that a certain type of person will use dispensaries and that they will attract crime and other problems is not right, he said.
City Attorney Heather McLaughlin said if the moratorium expires without an ordinance in place, planners would be in the awkward position of reviewing applications under existing zoning ordinances.
City zoning regulations do not include pot clubs as a permitted land use.
The council could pass the ban and then ask for more study and draft regulations to consider, McLaughlin said.
Benicia has no dispensaries, and the Benicia Police Department has lobbied against allowing them, citing crime as a key concern.
News Hawk- GuitarMan313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mercurynews.com
Author: Tony Burchyns and Sarah Rohrs
Contact: Help
Copyright: San Jose Mercury News
Website: Benicia planners reject extension of pot club ban
With the moratorium set to expire in March, the city staff had proposed an ordinance prohibiting such establishments for City Council consideration Feb. 1.
The planning meeting Wednesday wanted more information about the proposed ordinance before making a recommendation. They wanted to know more about the number of users, revenue from such clubs, and how users get medical clearance to buy marijuana legally.
Several commissioners said they know people who use marijuana for medical purposes and said they believe regulated facilities have a place in Benicia. Three audience members spoke in favor of the dispensaries.
"A lot of this stuff gets plastered with prejudice," said Commissioner Richard Bortolazzo. "We should have a complete study."
Commissioner Rod Sherry said he felt the staff's recommendation was being "jammed down our throats" without adequate study or options.
Benjamin Hirsch said his parents both use marijuana for medical reasons and that they and other users should not have to go elsewhere, particularly crime-ridden spots in Vallejo, to get it.
"I don't see why we can't have a nice, beautiful dispensary here," Hirsch said. To say that a certain type of person will use dispensaries and that they will attract crime and other problems is not right, he said.
City Attorney Heather McLaughlin said if the moratorium expires without an ordinance in place, planners would be in the awkward position of reviewing applications under existing zoning ordinances.
City zoning regulations do not include pot clubs as a permitted land use.
The council could pass the ban and then ask for more study and draft regulations to consider, McLaughlin said.
Benicia has no dispensaries, and the Benicia Police Department has lobbied against allowing them, citing crime as a key concern.
News Hawk- GuitarMan313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mercurynews.com
Author: Tony Burchyns and Sarah Rohrs
Contact: Help
Copyright: San Jose Mercury News
Website: Benicia planners reject extension of pot club ban
