FARMINGTON — City councilors approved a measure barring medical marijuana producers from acquiring permits to operate in the city for as many as six months as the city develops regulations.
Councilors at Tuesday's meeting voted 3-1 to pass a six-month moratorium on issuing business licenses and land-use approvals for medical marijuana producers.
The decision follows nonprofit New Mexico Alternative Care contacting the city proposing to locate a marijuana producer in Farmington.
A phone number for New Mexico Alternative Care wasn't publicly listed.
A law passed by state legislators in 2007 authorized medical marijuana in New Mexico.
City staffers recommended that City Council adopt the moratorium as they revise city code to address medical marijuana growers. City Council would decide whether to approve the changes sometime within the six-month period.
"The city's unified development code currently does not address the growth, production and/or distribution of medical cannabis," Mary Holton, the city's Community Development director, wrote in a memo to City Council.
Councilwoman Mary Fischer questioned why the city would take six months to develop codes on medical marijuana.
Public meetings on the matter could take time, Holton said.
"We will endeavor to make it as quick as possible," Holton said.
Mayor Tommy Roberts and Councilman Dan Darnell cautioned that the city should take its time developing medical marijuana regulations.
Councilman Jason Sandel cast the dissenting vote.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Farmington Daily Times
Author: Steve Lynn
Contact: Farmington Daily Times
Copyright: 2010 Media News group
Website: Councilors OK medical marijuana moratorium
Councilors at Tuesday's meeting voted 3-1 to pass a six-month moratorium on issuing business licenses and land-use approvals for medical marijuana producers.
The decision follows nonprofit New Mexico Alternative Care contacting the city proposing to locate a marijuana producer in Farmington.
A phone number for New Mexico Alternative Care wasn't publicly listed.
A law passed by state legislators in 2007 authorized medical marijuana in New Mexico.
City staffers recommended that City Council adopt the moratorium as they revise city code to address medical marijuana growers. City Council would decide whether to approve the changes sometime within the six-month period.
"The city's unified development code currently does not address the growth, production and/or distribution of medical cannabis," Mary Holton, the city's Community Development director, wrote in a memo to City Council.
Councilwoman Mary Fischer questioned why the city would take six months to develop codes on medical marijuana.
Public meetings on the matter could take time, Holton said.
"We will endeavor to make it as quick as possible," Holton said.
Mayor Tommy Roberts and Councilman Dan Darnell cautioned that the city should take its time developing medical marijuana regulations.
Councilman Jason Sandel cast the dissenting vote.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Farmington Daily Times
Author: Steve Lynn
Contact: Farmington Daily Times
Copyright: 2010 Media News group
Website: Councilors OK medical marijuana moratorium
