Jacob Bell
New Member
EVERETT, WA - Everett may be the next city to adopt a moratorium on medical marijuana gardens, pending a council decision this week.
The city wrote up an emergency ordinance putting a one-year moratorium on applications for medical marijuana collective gardens, and an emergency ordinance creating new zoning for collective gardens. Both items go before the City Council Wednesday, July 20. The city recommends approving the items.
The council will hold public hearings on both items.
Traditionally, council items have three readings. In this case, the council’s expected decision to temporarily ban the gardens becomes immediate law within Everett.
Changes to state law allow medical marijuana collective gardens for qualified patients starting Friday, July 22. The changes came after legislators attempted to clarify the rules on medical marijuana gardens and dispensaries.
Most cities in the county are reacting to the law by adopting moratoriums so they can figure out how to implement and regulate this new industry. Everett is the latest city to take action.
The Snohomish City Council approved a six-month moratorium last week. Edmonds and Granite Falls also have moratoriums on the books.
Mukilteo’s council discussed a six-month moratorium on collective gardens this week after press time.
“In effort to comply with state regulations, while studying what regulations of collective gardens is necessary, the City must enact emergency regulations to prevent the widespread proliferation of unregulated collective gardens throughout the City,” according to the emergency ordinances.
In 1998, voters made the use of medical marijuana legal for patients with a qualifying disease and a doctor’s recommendation. In the years since, medical marijuana dispensaries have opened up, but these businesses were operating without much state oversight or protection.
The lack of oversight and protection left both patients and people growing plants for patients exposed to potential trouble with the law because of the confusion among law enforcement.
This past session, the state Legislature sought to allow the state Department of Health to administer licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation sites to clear up the confusion. Gov. Chris Gregoire vetoed most of the bill including the licensing part. Because medical marijuana is illegal under federal law, Gregoire feared the law would expose state employees to federal charges — a fear many supporters of medical marijuana, including Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, denounce.
Left untouched by the governor’s veto pen was a provision that allows collective gardens. A collective garden can have up to 10 patients growing up to 45 plants.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: snoho.com
Author: Michael Whitney
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Mach Publishing
Website: Council acts on medical marijuana related moratoriums
The city wrote up an emergency ordinance putting a one-year moratorium on applications for medical marijuana collective gardens, and an emergency ordinance creating new zoning for collective gardens. Both items go before the City Council Wednesday, July 20. The city recommends approving the items.
The council will hold public hearings on both items.
Traditionally, council items have three readings. In this case, the council’s expected decision to temporarily ban the gardens becomes immediate law within Everett.
Changes to state law allow medical marijuana collective gardens for qualified patients starting Friday, July 22. The changes came after legislators attempted to clarify the rules on medical marijuana gardens and dispensaries.
Most cities in the county are reacting to the law by adopting moratoriums so they can figure out how to implement and regulate this new industry. Everett is the latest city to take action.
The Snohomish City Council approved a six-month moratorium last week. Edmonds and Granite Falls also have moratoriums on the books.
Mukilteo’s council discussed a six-month moratorium on collective gardens this week after press time.
“In effort to comply with state regulations, while studying what regulations of collective gardens is necessary, the City must enact emergency regulations to prevent the widespread proliferation of unregulated collective gardens throughout the City,” according to the emergency ordinances.
In 1998, voters made the use of medical marijuana legal for patients with a qualifying disease and a doctor’s recommendation. In the years since, medical marijuana dispensaries have opened up, but these businesses were operating without much state oversight or protection.
The lack of oversight and protection left both patients and people growing plants for patients exposed to potential trouble with the law because of the confusion among law enforcement.
This past session, the state Legislature sought to allow the state Department of Health to administer licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation sites to clear up the confusion. Gov. Chris Gregoire vetoed most of the bill including the licensing part. Because medical marijuana is illegal under federal law, Gregoire feared the law would expose state employees to federal charges — a fear many supporters of medical marijuana, including Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, denounce.
Left untouched by the governor’s veto pen was a provision that allows collective gardens. A collective garden can have up to 10 patients growing up to 45 plants.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: snoho.com
Author: Michael Whitney
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Mach Publishing
Website: Council acts on medical marijuana related moratoriums
