Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The Long Beach City Council, normally a harmonious group, has become fractured over how to deal with medical marijuana in the city.
It remains to be seen how the divisiveness on this issue will ultimately affect neighborhoods and businesses.
Last week's debate on medpot was laced with accusations of political grandstanding and fearmongering, sarcasm and temper flareups among council members.
"I am very disappointed this has turned into a shouting session," said Councilman Rex Richardson, who said he had hoped for "a thoughtful discussion" on medical marijuana.
At issue was Councilwoman Suzie Price's proposal to place a measure regulating medical marijuana on the Nov. 8 ballot that would have been more restrictive than a prospective ballot initiative favored by cannabis advocates.
Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal bristled at Price's proposal.
Lowenthal said the council, after years of trying, had failed to do its job in reaching agreement on medical marijuana and that it would be "disrespectful" to those who have signed a petition for a ballot initiative for the council to come up with a competing measure.
Price, citing increased police enforcement costs and other variables like buffer zones and taxes, has been advocating a go-slow approach to the distribution of medical marijuana.
She wants to give voters a choice in November on medpot distribution approaches.
The proposed ballot initiative from cannabis supporters would be more liberal than the Price proposal. It would allow between 26 and 32 marijuana dispensaries based on population estimates.
Price's proposal called for a delivery system followed by far fewer dispensaries based on how the system was working.
It's unfortunate the council can't get its act together and find a compromise solution to this problem. Public acrimony doesn't help.
There still is time to have that more thoughtful discussion Richardson talked about. The deadline for placing measures on the November ballot is Aug. 2.
It wouldn't hurt for the council to make another attempt to find middle ground.
As frustrating as it is, council members should make every effort to get as much information as possible before making a final decision. That's what they were elected to do.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: In Long Beach, Time For One More Try On Medical Marijuana Issue
Author: The Editorial Board
Contact: (562) 435-1161
Photo Credit: Michael Schennum
Website: Press-Telegram
It remains to be seen how the divisiveness on this issue will ultimately affect neighborhoods and businesses.
Last week's debate on medpot was laced with accusations of political grandstanding and fearmongering, sarcasm and temper flareups among council members.
"I am very disappointed this has turned into a shouting session," said Councilman Rex Richardson, who said he had hoped for "a thoughtful discussion" on medical marijuana.
At issue was Councilwoman Suzie Price's proposal to place a measure regulating medical marijuana on the Nov. 8 ballot that would have been more restrictive than a prospective ballot initiative favored by cannabis advocates.
Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal bristled at Price's proposal.
Lowenthal said the council, after years of trying, had failed to do its job in reaching agreement on medical marijuana and that it would be "disrespectful" to those who have signed a petition for a ballot initiative for the council to come up with a competing measure.
Price, citing increased police enforcement costs and other variables like buffer zones and taxes, has been advocating a go-slow approach to the distribution of medical marijuana.
She wants to give voters a choice in November on medpot distribution approaches.
The proposed ballot initiative from cannabis supporters would be more liberal than the Price proposal. It would allow between 26 and 32 marijuana dispensaries based on population estimates.
Price's proposal called for a delivery system followed by far fewer dispensaries based on how the system was working.
It's unfortunate the council can't get its act together and find a compromise solution to this problem. Public acrimony doesn't help.
There still is time to have that more thoughtful discussion Richardson talked about. The deadline for placing measures on the November ballot is Aug. 2.
It wouldn't hurt for the council to make another attempt to find middle ground.
As frustrating as it is, council members should make every effort to get as much information as possible before making a final decision. That's what they were elected to do.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: In Long Beach, Time For One More Try On Medical Marijuana Issue
Author: The Editorial Board
Contact: (562) 435-1161
Photo Credit: Michael Schennum
Website: Press-Telegram