Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Fullerton - Fullerton leaders are considering a November ballot measure that could make the city one of the county's first to legalize the cultivation of medical marijuana.
The City Council on Tuesday is looking at joining Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa with ballot measures permitting medical marijuana dispensaries. Fullerton is considering going a step further and, like Costa Mesa's ballot measures, also propose legalizing cultivation and manufacturing operations and taxing the whole lot.
Santa Ana and Laguna Woods are the only O.C. cities that currently don't ban medical marijuana operations. Fullerton allows only qualified patients and primary caregivers to grow plants for personal consumption.
The Placentia City Council in May approved a city ordinance allowing the growing and selling of marijuana, but reversed course the next month after public outcry.
In November, Californians will vote whether to legalize recreational marijuana.
A ballot measure regulating medical and recreational dispensaries would ensure city control over local operations amid, what Mayor Jennifer Fitzgerald called, "a fundamental shift in state policy."
"It's important for our council to be proactive in learning about this potential change because it's a fundamental shift in how the state has treated what up to now has been an illegal drug," she said.
Fullerton's Community Development Department held a meeting earlier this month to gather public input on legalizing pot operations, hearing concerns over increased access to the drug and the cost and resources required to enforce regulations.
The proposed ballot measure says no more than nine dispensaries would be permitted in the city, and none within 1,000 feet of a park, school or residential zone.
Revenue generated from applications and licensing fees paid by the dispensaries would fund the city's increased Police Department and Code Enforcement costs.
Also being floated is a 15 percent tax on gross receipts from all marijuana sales (including recreational if it becomes legal) with an option for the City Council to raise the rate to 20 percent in the future.
The tax on dispensaries and cultivation facilities would offer the city a new revenue source.
"It's a new world for all of us," Fitzgerald said. "I don't know what the comfort level will be with the council making any decisions (on Tuesday) at this point. I feel it's very important with this issue to get as much engagement from the local community as we can."
The council meets at 6:30 p.m.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Fullerton Latest City Looking At Allowing Pot Cultivation
Author: Brian Whitehead
Contact: The Orange County Register
Photo Credit: Sam Gangwer
Website: The Orange County Register
The City Council on Tuesday is looking at joining Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa with ballot measures permitting medical marijuana dispensaries. Fullerton is considering going a step further and, like Costa Mesa's ballot measures, also propose legalizing cultivation and manufacturing operations and taxing the whole lot.
Santa Ana and Laguna Woods are the only O.C. cities that currently don't ban medical marijuana operations. Fullerton allows only qualified patients and primary caregivers to grow plants for personal consumption.
The Placentia City Council in May approved a city ordinance allowing the growing and selling of marijuana, but reversed course the next month after public outcry.
In November, Californians will vote whether to legalize recreational marijuana.
A ballot measure regulating medical and recreational dispensaries would ensure city control over local operations amid, what Mayor Jennifer Fitzgerald called, "a fundamental shift in state policy."
"It's important for our council to be proactive in learning about this potential change because it's a fundamental shift in how the state has treated what up to now has been an illegal drug," she said.
Fullerton's Community Development Department held a meeting earlier this month to gather public input on legalizing pot operations, hearing concerns over increased access to the drug and the cost and resources required to enforce regulations.
The proposed ballot measure says no more than nine dispensaries would be permitted in the city, and none within 1,000 feet of a park, school or residential zone.
Revenue generated from applications and licensing fees paid by the dispensaries would fund the city's increased Police Department and Code Enforcement costs.
Also being floated is a 15 percent tax on gross receipts from all marijuana sales (including recreational if it becomes legal) with an option for the City Council to raise the rate to 20 percent in the future.
The tax on dispensaries and cultivation facilities would offer the city a new revenue source.
"It's a new world for all of us," Fitzgerald said. "I don't know what the comfort level will be with the council making any decisions (on Tuesday) at this point. I feel it's very important with this issue to get as much engagement from the local community as we can."
The council meets at 6:30 p.m.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Fullerton Latest City Looking At Allowing Pot Cultivation
Author: Brian Whitehead
Contact: The Orange County Register
Photo Credit: Sam Gangwer
Website: The Orange County Register
