Jacob Bell
New Member
PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Pullman City Council will discuss medical marijuana and the possible regulation of newly approved "community gardens" at its regular meeting Tuesday.
The discussion is prompted by recent changes in state law, which took effect July 22. The law now allows up to 10 patients to join together and raise "community gardens" for the purpose of supplying themselves with medical marijuana.
Each garden would be limited to a maximum of 45 marijuana plants. The law also authorizes cities and counties to adopt zoning regulations, business licensing requirements, taxes and health and safety regulations related to these dispensaries.
City Attorney Laura McAloon said Pullman can't pass an ordinance prohibiting the gardens. Consequently, the council needs to decide if it wants to regulate them in some way.
Alternatively, she said, the city could approve a temporary moratorium or interim zoning regulation prohibiting the activity, which would give staff and the council time to consider what type of regulations might be appropriate.
Given the confusion surrounding the new law and the "high probability of future changes," McAloon said, many Washington cities have opted to put moratoriums in place. They can remain in effect for as long as a year, she noted, and can be renewed for one or more additional six-month terms if preceded by a public hearing and supported by findings of fact.
Seventeen states have some form of medical marijuana law. In Washington, individuals must have a debilitating or terminal medical condition to qualify for the drug. The law offers some legal protection in state court, but doesn't shield patients from potential arrest.
Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins raised a number of concerns about the new community gardens.
Given the current street value of about $3,000 per pound or $2,500 per plant, he said, the facilities represent "an attractive target for would-be thieves (and) illicit drug distributors."
In other states, medical marijuana dispensaries "have experienced burglaries, armed robberies and other violent crimes," Jenkins said.
Consequently, if the council does want to regulate community gardens, he recommended that it consider such issues as distance from schools, parks and churches, on-site security cameras, provisions for Health Department inspections and minimum-age requirements.
Tuesday's meeting takes place at City Hall, 325 SE Paradise St., beginning at 7:30 p.m. The agenda also includes a public hearing on a city ward redistricting plan and discussion of the fire chief vacancy.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: standard.net
Author: William L. Spence
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Standard-Examiner
Website: City may OK Medical Marijuana 'Community Gardens'
The discussion is prompted by recent changes in state law, which took effect July 22. The law now allows up to 10 patients to join together and raise "community gardens" for the purpose of supplying themselves with medical marijuana.
Each garden would be limited to a maximum of 45 marijuana plants. The law also authorizes cities and counties to adopt zoning regulations, business licensing requirements, taxes and health and safety regulations related to these dispensaries.
City Attorney Laura McAloon said Pullman can't pass an ordinance prohibiting the gardens. Consequently, the council needs to decide if it wants to regulate them in some way.
Alternatively, she said, the city could approve a temporary moratorium or interim zoning regulation prohibiting the activity, which would give staff and the council time to consider what type of regulations might be appropriate.
Given the confusion surrounding the new law and the "high probability of future changes," McAloon said, many Washington cities have opted to put moratoriums in place. They can remain in effect for as long as a year, she noted, and can be renewed for one or more additional six-month terms if preceded by a public hearing and supported by findings of fact.
Seventeen states have some form of medical marijuana law. In Washington, individuals must have a debilitating or terminal medical condition to qualify for the drug. The law offers some legal protection in state court, but doesn't shield patients from potential arrest.
Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins raised a number of concerns about the new community gardens.
Given the current street value of about $3,000 per pound or $2,500 per plant, he said, the facilities represent "an attractive target for would-be thieves (and) illicit drug distributors."
In other states, medical marijuana dispensaries "have experienced burglaries, armed robberies and other violent crimes," Jenkins said.
Consequently, if the council does want to regulate community gardens, he recommended that it consider such issues as distance from schools, parks and churches, on-site security cameras, provisions for Health Department inspections and minimum-age requirements.
Tuesday's meeting takes place at City Hall, 325 SE Paradise St., beginning at 7:30 p.m. The agenda also includes a public hearing on a city ward redistricting plan and discussion of the fire chief vacancy.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: standard.net
Author: William L. Spence
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Standard-Examiner
Website: City may OK Medical Marijuana 'Community Gardens'
