Robert Celt
New Member
Besides holding the distinction of being the only city in Monterey County to have a medical marijuana dispensary, Del Rey Oaks seems poised to be the only city on the Peninsula to allow the cultivation and delivery of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
"I anticipate that will be the case," said Del Rey Oaks City Manager Dan Dawson of what will happen Tuesday night as the City Council votes on whether to allow the delivery and personal cultivation of medicinal cannabis within city limits.
Cities throughout California have been in a frenzy to get municipal codes on the books to control marijuana dispensaries, cultivation and delivery.
In the fall, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, which will create industry guidelines nearly two decades after California legalized medical marijuana. A paragraph in that 70-page bill gave the state authority to license growers in jurisdictions that do not have their own laws on the books by March 1.
As a result, dozens of cities and counties have raced to enact bans on growing marijuana before the deadline to preserve local control over pot. Many have gone further, beefing up, enhancing or creating bans on dispensaries, cultivation and delivery of medical cannabis.
"Right now cities have panicked due to the erroneous deadline, because banning is the easiest thing to do," said Dawson.
On Monday, the State Senate approved a bill aimed at slowing cities and counties racing to ban marijuana cultivation. The Senate backed the measure in a 35-3 vote, sending it to the Assembly.
But Del Rey Oaks has allowed the sale of medical marijuana since April 2015 through the Monterey Bay Alternative Medicine dispensary at 800 Portola Drive.
Dawson said the dispensary is a model that he hopes others see and learn from. It has benefited the city through sales tax revenue, donated money to the city and has become a community partner by listening to concerns and addressing issues as they come up, he said.
Salinas City Councilwoman Kimbley Craig said her city is ready to approve dispensaries, cultivation facilities, delivery services and manufacturing of medical marijuana products within its borders. Craig said it will be a "meticulous process" of granting permits complete with background checks on each applicant. In all, the city will allow up to 12 medical marijuana-based permits.
Craig said that although she has been outspoken on the need to take a more measured approach, she believes the majority of the council will pass the ordinance at its meeting Tuesday.
In Del Rey Oaks, the dispensary "has worked out better than we expected," said Dawson.
He said that with good controls in place, other municipalities should give medical marijuana a try and see where it goes.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Del Rey Oaks Ready To Lead The Way On Medical Marijuana Again
Author: James Herrera
Contact: Monterey Herald
Photo Credit: Vern Fisher
Website: Monterey Herald
"I anticipate that will be the case," said Del Rey Oaks City Manager Dan Dawson of what will happen Tuesday night as the City Council votes on whether to allow the delivery and personal cultivation of medicinal cannabis within city limits.
Cities throughout California have been in a frenzy to get municipal codes on the books to control marijuana dispensaries, cultivation and delivery.
In the fall, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, which will create industry guidelines nearly two decades after California legalized medical marijuana. A paragraph in that 70-page bill gave the state authority to license growers in jurisdictions that do not have their own laws on the books by March 1.
As a result, dozens of cities and counties have raced to enact bans on growing marijuana before the deadline to preserve local control over pot. Many have gone further, beefing up, enhancing or creating bans on dispensaries, cultivation and delivery of medical cannabis.
"Right now cities have panicked due to the erroneous deadline, because banning is the easiest thing to do," said Dawson.
On Monday, the State Senate approved a bill aimed at slowing cities and counties racing to ban marijuana cultivation. The Senate backed the measure in a 35-3 vote, sending it to the Assembly.
But Del Rey Oaks has allowed the sale of medical marijuana since April 2015 through the Monterey Bay Alternative Medicine dispensary at 800 Portola Drive.
Dawson said the dispensary is a model that he hopes others see and learn from. It has benefited the city through sales tax revenue, donated money to the city and has become a community partner by listening to concerns and addressing issues as they come up, he said.
Salinas City Councilwoman Kimbley Craig said her city is ready to approve dispensaries, cultivation facilities, delivery services and manufacturing of medical marijuana products within its borders. Craig said it will be a "meticulous process" of granting permits complete with background checks on each applicant. In all, the city will allow up to 12 medical marijuana-based permits.
Craig said that although she has been outspoken on the need to take a more measured approach, she believes the majority of the council will pass the ordinance at its meeting Tuesday.
In Del Rey Oaks, the dispensary "has worked out better than we expected," said Dawson.
He said that with good controls in place, other municipalities should give medical marijuana a try and see where it goes.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Del Rey Oaks Ready To Lead The Way On Medical Marijuana Again
Author: James Herrera
Contact: Monterey Herald
Photo Credit: Vern Fisher
Website: Monterey Herald
