California - Marijuana is coming to Napa.
By the end of 2010, it is likely that the city of Napa will have sanctioned one or more medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits.
In August, the Napa City Council voted unanimously to allow pot clinics in town. The council barred any such clinics from opening while it drafts its regulations, and then set about studying the way clinics operate in other cities.
At public hearings, Napa Police officials and others have expressed concern that such clinics could become magnets for crime or wider drug use among those without prescriptions, including teens. Medical marijuana advocates, would-be clinic operators and others have said the clinics can operate safely and efficiently, with the only significant civic impact being a boost in municipal sales taxes.
Several entrepreneurs have expressed interest in running a club in Napa, and await the regulations the city is piecing together.
The city is expected to unveil a draft ordinance at the Jan. 26 City Council meeting, with public hearings in the spring and perhaps a law on the books in June.
June may also see more significant action in the great debate about marijuana.
An initiative circulating for placement on the statewide ballot would ask the voters to decide whether marijuana should be made legal for recreational purposes.
Some argue legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana will help the cash-strapped state while hurting the illegal cartels that cultivate and import marijuana now.
Others say the financial argument is just a Trojan Horse for the long-standing desire of some to make it legal to smoke dope.
Should Californians support the initiative, the larger question would remain about how the federal government — which classifies marijuana as a narcotic — would react. By the time that debate reaches its apex, Napa may already have its first club.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Napa Valley Register
Author: BILL KISLIUK
Contact: Napa Valley Register | Local news for the Napa Valley
Copyright: 2010 Napa Valley Publishing
Website:Medical pot on the way | Napa Valley Register
By the end of 2010, it is likely that the city of Napa will have sanctioned one or more medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits.
In August, the Napa City Council voted unanimously to allow pot clinics in town. The council barred any such clinics from opening while it drafts its regulations, and then set about studying the way clinics operate in other cities.
At public hearings, Napa Police officials and others have expressed concern that such clinics could become magnets for crime or wider drug use among those without prescriptions, including teens. Medical marijuana advocates, would-be clinic operators and others have said the clinics can operate safely and efficiently, with the only significant civic impact being a boost in municipal sales taxes.
Several entrepreneurs have expressed interest in running a club in Napa, and await the regulations the city is piecing together.
The city is expected to unveil a draft ordinance at the Jan. 26 City Council meeting, with public hearings in the spring and perhaps a law on the books in June.
June may also see more significant action in the great debate about marijuana.
An initiative circulating for placement on the statewide ballot would ask the voters to decide whether marijuana should be made legal for recreational purposes.
Some argue legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana will help the cash-strapped state while hurting the illegal cartels that cultivate and import marijuana now.
Others say the financial argument is just a Trojan Horse for the long-standing desire of some to make it legal to smoke dope.
Should Californians support the initiative, the larger question would remain about how the federal government — which classifies marijuana as a narcotic — would react. By the time that debate reaches its apex, Napa may already have its first club.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Napa Valley Register
Author: BILL KISLIUK
Contact: Napa Valley Register | Local news for the Napa Valley
Copyright: 2010 Napa Valley Publishing
Website:Medical pot on the way | Napa Valley Register
