Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Jean Cowsert was the only community member to speak at the Galt City Council meeting about the possibility of medicinal marijuana dispensaries coming to town, and she ended her comments with, "Hope I didn't kill it, but I'm sure it's dead anyway."
The council voted 4 to 1 to continue a temporary ordinance preventing the opening of medical marijuana dispensaries for 10 months and 15 days. That is the maximum amount of time the city could extend the temporary ban under state law.
The council also directed staff to study an ordinance change that will permanently ban these businesses.
"To take the risk and have dispensaries in the community, I'm not ready to do that," Councilwoman Barbara Payne said. "I do not want to see Galt as a destination for people to come purchase their marijuana."
Cowsert, who has a doctor recommendation to use marijuana for her fibromyalgia, said she grows her own but would like to see a dispensary in Galt for all the other patients who cannot grow it.
"We are so conservative that we are backwards," Cowsert said. "We are not dealing with the issue ... I'm here to stand up for the patients that are afraid to walk in through these doors."
As the lone vote opposed to extending the ordinance, Councilman Andrew Meredith said the council should allow dispensaries because California voters approved marijuana for medical use in 1996 under Proposition 215, which is commonly referred to as the Compassionate Use Act.
He said he was in favor of the council moving forward with placing a zoning restriction that would limit these types of dispensaries to an industrial park.
"The voters have spoken," he said. "It is irresponsible for Galt to overturn California voters."
In response, Councilman Darryl Clare, who was speaking by teleconference, said the city is not going against voters, because Californians approved the use of medicinal marijuana but never mandated dispensaries.
The council had originally voted on a temporary ban in a special session April 27 after city staff received an inquiry about how to obtain a business license for a dispensary.
Cowsert told the council that dispensaries could reduce the amount of patients going to the streets to get marijuana. She also said that at properly run dispensaries, there are few crimes.
During the council members' comments, Cowsert repeatedly scoffed and yelled, "What are you afraid of?!" She also clapped during Meredith's comments, thanking him for his vote before being escorted out by Galt Police Chief Loren Cattolico.
Having toured several dispensaries, Councilman Donald Haines said he knows they are targeted for crime. He described the bullet-proof glass and the armed security guards who escort people to their cars.
Haines also raised concerns about the quality of the product because he said the industry is not properly regulated. "My biggest concern is whether it is a good fit for Galt," Haines said.
News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Lodi News-Sentinel
Author: Maggie Creamer
Copyright: 2009 Lodi News-Sentinel
Contact: Lodinews.com: Staff Directory
Website: Galt council wants to ban medicinal pot dispensaries
The council voted 4 to 1 to continue a temporary ordinance preventing the opening of medical marijuana dispensaries for 10 months and 15 days. That is the maximum amount of time the city could extend the temporary ban under state law.
The council also directed staff to study an ordinance change that will permanently ban these businesses.
"To take the risk and have dispensaries in the community, I'm not ready to do that," Councilwoman Barbara Payne said. "I do not want to see Galt as a destination for people to come purchase their marijuana."
Cowsert, who has a doctor recommendation to use marijuana for her fibromyalgia, said she grows her own but would like to see a dispensary in Galt for all the other patients who cannot grow it.
"We are so conservative that we are backwards," Cowsert said. "We are not dealing with the issue ... I'm here to stand up for the patients that are afraid to walk in through these doors."
As the lone vote opposed to extending the ordinance, Councilman Andrew Meredith said the council should allow dispensaries because California voters approved marijuana for medical use in 1996 under Proposition 215, which is commonly referred to as the Compassionate Use Act.
He said he was in favor of the council moving forward with placing a zoning restriction that would limit these types of dispensaries to an industrial park.
"The voters have spoken," he said. "It is irresponsible for Galt to overturn California voters."
In response, Councilman Darryl Clare, who was speaking by teleconference, said the city is not going against voters, because Californians approved the use of medicinal marijuana but never mandated dispensaries.
The council had originally voted on a temporary ban in a special session April 27 after city staff received an inquiry about how to obtain a business license for a dispensary.
Cowsert told the council that dispensaries could reduce the amount of patients going to the streets to get marijuana. She also said that at properly run dispensaries, there are few crimes.
During the council members' comments, Cowsert repeatedly scoffed and yelled, "What are you afraid of?!" She also clapped during Meredith's comments, thanking him for his vote before being escorted out by Galt Police Chief Loren Cattolico.
Having toured several dispensaries, Councilman Donald Haines said he knows they are targeted for crime. He described the bullet-proof glass and the armed security guards who escort people to their cars.
Haines also raised concerns about the quality of the product because he said the industry is not properly regulated. "My biggest concern is whether it is a good fit for Galt," Haines said.
News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Lodi News-Sentinel
Author: Maggie Creamer
Copyright: 2009 Lodi News-Sentinel
Contact: Lodinews.com: Staff Directory
Website: Galt council wants to ban medicinal pot dispensaries
