Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Watsonville - Uncomfortable with the recommendation of city staff and its own Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee, the Watsonville City Council balked at allowing the manufacture of medical cannabis in addition to cultivation at its meeting Tuesday and decided to table the issue until its Jan. 24 meeting.
Mayor Oscar Rios and City Councilmembers Trina Coffman-Gomez, Rebecca Garcia, Jimmy Dutra and Nancy Bilicich all expressed concerns that the city staff's recommendation was too hasty.
"Why are we moving so quickly?" asked Rios.
"We're trying to stay ahead of the curve and have our processes in place before the state imposes what they want to on this community," said city manager Charles Montoya.
By recommending colocation of cultivation and manufacture, Montoya said, Watsonville can attract a larger share of the market and also minimize the amount of cannabis transportation necessary within city limits.
City Councilmembers Lowell Hurst and Felipe Hernandez said they agree with staff and the committee that the amended ordinance will give the medical cannabis industry to gain a foothold in Watsonville ahead of the recreational cannabis boom that will begin in January 2018.
"The black market moves very quickly and that's what we're going to be overrun with if we don't take advantage of the recommendation staff has laid out," Hurst said.
"This should be treated as what it is, the manufacture of agricultural products," said City Councilmember Felipe Hernandez.
The new ordinance would have initially limited the number of manufacturers to 12 with an eventual cap at 16. Manufacturing would be allowed in the Industrial Park and General Industrial Zoning districts.
Like the cultivation sites, manufacturing sites would be kept 600 feet from schools, parks and faith-based facilities and 300 feet from residential zones. In comparison, alcohol cannot be sold within 300 feet of schools, according to community development director Suzi Merriam.
"I do believe in cannabis, but I don't believe in putting it so close to kids and schools," said Dutra.
Hurst reminded city councilmembers that the city has successfully regulated businesses with far more hazardous materials than cannabis, such as ammonia.
In addition, manufacturing uses would require the approval of an Administrative Use Permit, which would be considered for approval by the Zoning Administrator without a public hearing.
Billicich and Dutra expressed further concern that the permists would be by administrative approval and not through the a public process.
City staff and the Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee intend to bring further regulations regarding dispensaries, testing, transport and distribution to the Council for consideration in the next few months.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Watsonville Balks At Allowing Manufacture Of Medical Cannabis
Author: Ryan Masters
Contact: 831-423-4242
Photo Credit: Karl Mondon
Website: Santa Cruz Sentinel
Mayor Oscar Rios and City Councilmembers Trina Coffman-Gomez, Rebecca Garcia, Jimmy Dutra and Nancy Bilicich all expressed concerns that the city staff's recommendation was too hasty.
"Why are we moving so quickly?" asked Rios.
"We're trying to stay ahead of the curve and have our processes in place before the state imposes what they want to on this community," said city manager Charles Montoya.
By recommending colocation of cultivation and manufacture, Montoya said, Watsonville can attract a larger share of the market and also minimize the amount of cannabis transportation necessary within city limits.
City Councilmembers Lowell Hurst and Felipe Hernandez said they agree with staff and the committee that the amended ordinance will give the medical cannabis industry to gain a foothold in Watsonville ahead of the recreational cannabis boom that will begin in January 2018.
"The black market moves very quickly and that's what we're going to be overrun with if we don't take advantage of the recommendation staff has laid out," Hurst said.
"This should be treated as what it is, the manufacture of agricultural products," said City Councilmember Felipe Hernandez.
The new ordinance would have initially limited the number of manufacturers to 12 with an eventual cap at 16. Manufacturing would be allowed in the Industrial Park and General Industrial Zoning districts.
Like the cultivation sites, manufacturing sites would be kept 600 feet from schools, parks and faith-based facilities and 300 feet from residential zones. In comparison, alcohol cannot be sold within 300 feet of schools, according to community development director Suzi Merriam.
"I do believe in cannabis, but I don't believe in putting it so close to kids and schools," said Dutra.
Hurst reminded city councilmembers that the city has successfully regulated businesses with far more hazardous materials than cannabis, such as ammonia.
In addition, manufacturing uses would require the approval of an Administrative Use Permit, which would be considered for approval by the Zoning Administrator without a public hearing.
Billicich and Dutra expressed further concern that the permists would be by administrative approval and not through the a public process.
City staff and the Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee intend to bring further regulations regarding dispensaries, testing, transport and distribution to the Council for consideration in the next few months.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Watsonville Balks At Allowing Manufacture Of Medical Cannabis
Author: Ryan Masters
Contact: 831-423-4242
Photo Credit: Karl Mondon
Website: Santa Cruz Sentinel
