Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The Willits City Council in its first meeting of the year will again address the long-deliberated issue of a local ordinance permitting commercial cannabis permits in Willits.
The last time the council heard public input, in November, residents who attended expressed the sentiment that Willits should take advantage of its established cannabis reputation and incorporate all facets of the industry in the city to try to get as much money out of it as they can.
So far, the group tasked with gathering that feedback from the public has been labeled a "working group," but City staff has recommended that the council form an ad hoc committee to create a cannabis ordinance with the city's best interests in mind, according to the meeting agenda. The group has held a conservative stance on the matter so far, firmly establishing that outdoor growing will not be allowed within city limits, citing the pervasive smell as a reason against allowing grows.
Under the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in October 2015, the state will begin issuing commercial licenses on Jan. 1, 2018. The ad hoc committee would use the MCRSA as a framework to dictate local control of cannabis regulation. The MCRSA allows for 14 types of permits, excluding outdoor growing. In accordance with the MCRSA, indoor growing would only be allowed in buildings zoned for industrial use at least 600 feet from schools.
According to the agenda, the council could decide that the current city ordinance on cannabis regulation is adequate and choose not to add any more local licenses. The city currently allows up to six marijuana plants within a fully enclosed structure on each parcel with a medical license only.
According to the agenda, City staff predicts "significant" time would be required to draft an ordinance and complete an environmental review.
Also up for consideration is a proposed improvement project for the Willits Municipal Airport to remedy safety problems reported by the Federal Aviation Administration and the California Department of Transportation Aeronautical Division. Problems include a deteriorating runway and taxiway and non-compliant runway safety areas that could lead to revoking operation rights, the agenda said. The proposed projects, estimated to cost $280,000, entail sealing cracks on the runway and taxiway, building a new taxiway connector and installing an Automated Weather Observation System, among other safety precautions.
Nearly all the funding for the project has already been approved under the FAA's Airport Improvement Program (90 percent) and by Caltrans (5 percent of the FAA grant amount). The City has offered to contribute $15,400 to total project costs, according to the agenda.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Willits City Council To Discuss Cannabis, Airport Safety
Author: Ashley Tressel
Contact: 707-459-4643
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: Willits News
The last time the council heard public input, in November, residents who attended expressed the sentiment that Willits should take advantage of its established cannabis reputation and incorporate all facets of the industry in the city to try to get as much money out of it as they can.
So far, the group tasked with gathering that feedback from the public has been labeled a "working group," but City staff has recommended that the council form an ad hoc committee to create a cannabis ordinance with the city's best interests in mind, according to the meeting agenda. The group has held a conservative stance on the matter so far, firmly establishing that outdoor growing will not be allowed within city limits, citing the pervasive smell as a reason against allowing grows.
Under the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in October 2015, the state will begin issuing commercial licenses on Jan. 1, 2018. The ad hoc committee would use the MCRSA as a framework to dictate local control of cannabis regulation. The MCRSA allows for 14 types of permits, excluding outdoor growing. In accordance with the MCRSA, indoor growing would only be allowed in buildings zoned for industrial use at least 600 feet from schools.
According to the agenda, the council could decide that the current city ordinance on cannabis regulation is adequate and choose not to add any more local licenses. The city currently allows up to six marijuana plants within a fully enclosed structure on each parcel with a medical license only.
According to the agenda, City staff predicts "significant" time would be required to draft an ordinance and complete an environmental review.
Also up for consideration is a proposed improvement project for the Willits Municipal Airport to remedy safety problems reported by the Federal Aviation Administration and the California Department of Transportation Aeronautical Division. Problems include a deteriorating runway and taxiway and non-compliant runway safety areas that could lead to revoking operation rights, the agenda said. The proposed projects, estimated to cost $280,000, entail sealing cracks on the runway and taxiway, building a new taxiway connector and installing an Automated Weather Observation System, among other safety precautions.
Nearly all the funding for the project has already been approved under the FAA's Airport Improvement Program (90 percent) and by Caltrans (5 percent of the FAA grant amount). The City has offered to contribute $15,400 to total project costs, according to the agenda.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Willits City Council To Discuss Cannabis, Airport Safety
Author: Ashley Tressel
Contact: 707-459-4643
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: Willits News
