Jacob Bell
New Member
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – It looks like marijuana dispensaries will stay open in Kern County, at least for now.
The Kern Citizens for Patient's Rights organization turned in enough valid signatures to block the county ordinance, which would have banned all the shops in town.
On Wednesday, the Kern County Elections Division counted 17,350 valid signatures on the petition — the required amount to put the ordinance on hold.
Many pot proponents celebrated Thursday in light of the recent news. Now, the next step is for the Kern County Board of Supervisors, which must either overturn the ban or put the question before voters.
"There's a huge support base in Kern County, and I knew with just the patient base that we have we would have the signatures that we needed," said Heather Epps, the president of Kern Citizens.
In August, with the findings from the Kern County counsel, the Board of Supervisors approved the decision to outlaw the marijuana cooperatives. The county counsel found the cooperatives were "nuisances to the public safety, health and welfare."
But on Thursday, because of the signatures, Epps said, "The collectives are open, and they will remain open."
So now, the Board of Supervisors have two options. They can repeal the ordinance all together, or they can place the decision in the voters' hands in a special election or during the 2012 June primary.
"Either is fine with us. We know we have the support in the county. If it goes to the voters, that's fantastic, it should be decided by the people," said Epps.
Theresa A. Goldner, the Kern County counsel, said, "The effect of the current dispensary ordinance is suspended. That means it's not in force and affect right now, and if the Board decides that it wants to send it to the voters, it will remain suspended until the election."
Also in August, the Board of Supervisors passed a 12-plant limit on the amount of medical marijuana that could be cultivated on a parcel of land. A lawsuit is pending on whether to suspend that ordinance, as well.
"There was a hearing on it, I believe, last week, we are waiting to get the court's ruling," said Goldner.
Epps said she's not too concerned about the future of medical marijuana, simply because "more people are open to alternative forms of medication, and marijuana is one of those."
She hopes county officials will understand that, too. She believes supporters of medical marijuana and the Board of Supervisors have a common ground, and that she believes in regulation, too. She just hopes for open dialog between the two groups.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: bakersfieldnow.com
Author: Connie Tran
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Fisher Communications, Inc.
Website: Medical marijuana proponents wait for election decision
The Kern Citizens for Patient's Rights organization turned in enough valid signatures to block the county ordinance, which would have banned all the shops in town.
On Wednesday, the Kern County Elections Division counted 17,350 valid signatures on the petition — the required amount to put the ordinance on hold.
Many pot proponents celebrated Thursday in light of the recent news. Now, the next step is for the Kern County Board of Supervisors, which must either overturn the ban or put the question before voters.
"There's a huge support base in Kern County, and I knew with just the patient base that we have we would have the signatures that we needed," said Heather Epps, the president of Kern Citizens.
In August, with the findings from the Kern County counsel, the Board of Supervisors approved the decision to outlaw the marijuana cooperatives. The county counsel found the cooperatives were "nuisances to the public safety, health and welfare."
But on Thursday, because of the signatures, Epps said, "The collectives are open, and they will remain open."
So now, the Board of Supervisors have two options. They can repeal the ordinance all together, or they can place the decision in the voters' hands in a special election or during the 2012 June primary.
"Either is fine with us. We know we have the support in the county. If it goes to the voters, that's fantastic, it should be decided by the people," said Epps.
Theresa A. Goldner, the Kern County counsel, said, "The effect of the current dispensary ordinance is suspended. That means it's not in force and affect right now, and if the Board decides that it wants to send it to the voters, it will remain suspended until the election."
Also in August, the Board of Supervisors passed a 12-plant limit on the amount of medical marijuana that could be cultivated on a parcel of land. A lawsuit is pending on whether to suspend that ordinance, as well.
"There was a hearing on it, I believe, last week, we are waiting to get the court's ruling," said Goldner.
Epps said she's not too concerned about the future of medical marijuana, simply because "more people are open to alternative forms of medication, and marijuana is one of those."
She hopes county officials will understand that, too. She believes supporters of medical marijuana and the Board of Supervisors have a common ground, and that she believes in regulation, too. She just hopes for open dialog between the two groups.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: bakersfieldnow.com
Author: Connie Tran
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Fisher Communications, Inc.
Website: Medical marijuana proponents wait for election decision
