Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Medical marijuana is turning into the hot topic for city and county government.
On Tuesday, the Corning City Council voted to issue a state-required public report pertaining to the 45-day interim ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries, collectives or cooperatives it approved on Aug. 11.
An advance draft of the document explains what discussions, steps, meetings, study sessions and actions have been taken by the city since the interim ordinance was approved.
The report outlines:
• The Aug. 25 joint study session between the City Council and Planning Commission;
• Review of an ordinance adopted by the City of Gridley concerning medical marijuana;
• Review of a Santa Barbara grand jury investigation regarding medical marijuana;
• The Corning Planning Commission and council discussion on regulations regarding medical marijuana and zoning within the city;
• Review of information and letters in support and opposition of medical marijuana;
• State laws concerning medical marijuana.
According to the draft, the letters and information will be forwarded to representatives of local schools and churches, Ken and Kathy Prather — owners of THC, Inc. in Corning — their attorney Eric Berg, and the Coalition for A Drug Free California.
The report will be available for public scrutiny on Monday at city hall.
A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Olive View Elementary School auditorium for the council to consider a 10-month and 15-day extension of the interim ordinance to give staff time to draft and adopt an ordinance regulating where and how medicinal marijuana can be grown, smoked and sold in Corning.
The community has been a buzz about the medical marijuana dispensary owned by the Prathers, located on Solano Street, which is operating as a nonprofit enterprise under state and federal documentation but without a city business license.
Following the advise of Berg, the Prathers have kept the business open despite the ordinance and a visit from Corning police Chief Tony Cardenas and one of his officers informing them they are in violation of the city ordinance.
The Prathers have been told by city staff that if they are found guilty of the infraction, they could be fined.
The county may be following in Corning's footsteps on Tuesday as the Board of Supervisors considers a 45-day interim ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperative and collectives within the county jurisdiction.
"In light of what has happened in Corning, the county and the Board of Supervisors needs to take the time to research whether there is a need for medical marijuana dispensaries in the unincorporated area," said Supervisor Bob Williams.
During the 45-day interim, the county will be looking at where a dispensary would be allowed, considering regulations and if dispensaries could be taxed.
"A lot will go into this before and be the board would allow a dispensary to be in the county," Williams said. "I think we also need the time to see how current court cases concerning medical marijuana shakes out."
He said he doesn't want the county to get caught off guard the way Corning did.
"We want to have our ducks in a row before someone submits paperwork for a medical marijuana dispensary," said the supervisor. "If the ordinance is adopted the board will look very closely at our county code, study the subject and understand what our options are."
The interim ordinance will be presented to the board by Williams and Supervisor Gregg Avilla.
Williams introduced an ordinance on July 21 concerning growing medical marijuana, including regulations on where it could be grown, the amount grown and safety measures.
An ad hoc committee was formed to address the subject and will present it findings within a month.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: corning-observer.com
Author: Julie R. Johnson
Copyright: 2009 Freedom Communications
Contact: Contact Us : Corning Observer
Website: County, city deal with pot | city, county, marijuana - Local News - Corning Observer
On Tuesday, the Corning City Council voted to issue a state-required public report pertaining to the 45-day interim ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries, collectives or cooperatives it approved on Aug. 11.
An advance draft of the document explains what discussions, steps, meetings, study sessions and actions have been taken by the city since the interim ordinance was approved.
The report outlines:
• The Aug. 25 joint study session between the City Council and Planning Commission;
• Review of an ordinance adopted by the City of Gridley concerning medical marijuana;
• Review of a Santa Barbara grand jury investigation regarding medical marijuana;
• The Corning Planning Commission and council discussion on regulations regarding medical marijuana and zoning within the city;
• Review of information and letters in support and opposition of medical marijuana;
• State laws concerning medical marijuana.
According to the draft, the letters and information will be forwarded to representatives of local schools and churches, Ken and Kathy Prather — owners of THC, Inc. in Corning — their attorney Eric Berg, and the Coalition for A Drug Free California.
The report will be available for public scrutiny on Monday at city hall.
A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Olive View Elementary School auditorium for the council to consider a 10-month and 15-day extension of the interim ordinance to give staff time to draft and adopt an ordinance regulating where and how medicinal marijuana can be grown, smoked and sold in Corning.
The community has been a buzz about the medical marijuana dispensary owned by the Prathers, located on Solano Street, which is operating as a nonprofit enterprise under state and federal documentation but without a city business license.
Following the advise of Berg, the Prathers have kept the business open despite the ordinance and a visit from Corning police Chief Tony Cardenas and one of his officers informing them they are in violation of the city ordinance.
The Prathers have been told by city staff that if they are found guilty of the infraction, they could be fined.
The county may be following in Corning's footsteps on Tuesday as the Board of Supervisors considers a 45-day interim ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperative and collectives within the county jurisdiction.
"In light of what has happened in Corning, the county and the Board of Supervisors needs to take the time to research whether there is a need for medical marijuana dispensaries in the unincorporated area," said Supervisor Bob Williams.
During the 45-day interim, the county will be looking at where a dispensary would be allowed, considering regulations and if dispensaries could be taxed.
"A lot will go into this before and be the board would allow a dispensary to be in the county," Williams said. "I think we also need the time to see how current court cases concerning medical marijuana shakes out."
He said he doesn't want the county to get caught off guard the way Corning did.
"We want to have our ducks in a row before someone submits paperwork for a medical marijuana dispensary," said the supervisor. "If the ordinance is adopted the board will look very closely at our county code, study the subject and understand what our options are."
The interim ordinance will be presented to the board by Williams and Supervisor Gregg Avilla.
Williams introduced an ordinance on July 21 concerning growing medical marijuana, including regulations on where it could be grown, the amount grown and safety measures.
An ad hoc committee was formed to address the subject and will present it findings within a month.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: corning-observer.com
Author: Julie R. Johnson
Copyright: 2009 Freedom Communications
Contact: Contact Us : Corning Observer
Website: County, city deal with pot | city, county, marijuana - Local News - Corning Observer
