Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Council members in Hazleton are divided over whether the city should open its doors to the medical marijuana industry.
The governing body will vote today on first reading of ordinances that would incorporate regulations for medical marijuana facilities into the city's zoning ordinance and establish where in Hazleton those facilities can operate.
The ordinances were listed on an agenda released Friday, in advance of today's council meeting that will be held 7 p.m. at City Hall.
They were presented to council as a March 20 deadline approaches for the state to accept permit applications for growing, processing and dispensing medical marijuana – and would ensure the city has regulations in place if a business wants to operate in Hazleton, Mayor Jeff Cusat said.
Council President Jack Mundie said the ordinances presented for city council's consideration are similar to legislation adopted in neighboring Hazle Township.
Mundie said that after reviewing information he received about the issue from state Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Township, he believes the medical marijuana industry would be adequately regulated by the state and boost the local tax base.
Mundie likened the industry to "pharmaceuticals," saying he's of the belief medical marijuana that would be dispensed would be in pill or oil form.
"It will be regulated by the state and I'm sure they'll keep an eye on it so it's not abused," Mundie said. "I'm all for trying to get businesses to come to Hazleton."
A dispensary or grower/processor could potentially set up shop in a building that's not currently in use – or buy property from Hazleton City Authority that would lead to revenue-sharing with the city, he said.
In either scenario, the city would realize property tax revenue, as well as tax revenue from employees who would work at the facility, he said.
While Mundie pointed out potential benefits, he stopped short of saying he supports that ordinances will be up for a vote.
Council members Robert Gavio and Grace Cuozzo, meanwhile, say they support the industry – and believe it could help the city and people suffering from the effects of serious medical conditions.
"I'm all for it – as long as it's controlled," Gavio said. "If think if we don't get on board, we're going to miss out."
Gavio believes the city should enact ordinances that most of its neighboring municipalities already have on the books.
While Cuozzo believes in the benefits of medical marijuana, she took issue with the amount of time Cusat waited to bring the ordinances before council.
Cuozzo, however, said the proposed zoning change must also go before the planning commission for review.
She also said that medical marijuana could be used by people with serious medical conditions, she believes it would be prescribed only after other treatment options have been proven ineffective.
"I am a proponent," she said. "I understand it quite well. But it's not going to be the drug of first choice. I don't think anybody understands that. That is something that I think is very, very important."
If the ordinances are approved, Cuozzo said she does not want to see a former mine site in southwest Hazleton house growers without knowing how runoff from a growing facility would affect the water table and mix with other contents at the site.
"If we apply for growers, it should be I-2, or heavy industrial – whatever you choose to call it," she said.
Council Vice President Jean Mope declined comment when asked about the ordinances Monday, but Councilman Dave Sosar didn't hesitate when running through a long list of concerns he has for the industry.
While much of what he read indicates that medical marijuana would be administered in pill or oil form, Sosar said state law is vague on the issue.
"Is it still available as something that would be smoked?" Sosar asked. "I think that opens a lot of problems if it does and even if it doesn't."
Sosar said he wants more information about prescription limitations – or how much a person gets at a time from a dispensary and has concerns for a provision of the law that allows people to designate as many as two "caregivers." A caregiver can hold that designation for five other people – opening the possibility for abuse, Sosar said.
While he's not disputing that medical marijuana can help people cope with different illnesses, Sosar said that other medications could serve as viable alternatives.
"I don't want to get into a doorway into something," he said. "You know and I know many states are looking to take this step into recreational use. Are we going down a slippery slope as well? I'm just not sure."
Sosar said he takes issue receiving the ordinances just a few days ahead of council's meeting, especially since the mayor could've brought the issue to council's attention after attending one of the conferences he spoke about attending in a published news report.
"I'm not a big fan of this," Sosar added. "I think there are too many variables in there that are just very questionable at this point."
The mayor said he doesn't see a downside to the industry. Police Chief Jerry Speziale – who served as a security advisory for a medical marijuana company in New Jersey – said he has no professional or personal objections to medical marijuana, either.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Council To Act On Mayor's Medical Marijuana Ordinance
Author: Sam Galski
Contact: 1-570-455-3636
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Website: Standard Speaker
The governing body will vote today on first reading of ordinances that would incorporate regulations for medical marijuana facilities into the city's zoning ordinance and establish where in Hazleton those facilities can operate.
The ordinances were listed on an agenda released Friday, in advance of today's council meeting that will be held 7 p.m. at City Hall.
They were presented to council as a March 20 deadline approaches for the state to accept permit applications for growing, processing and dispensing medical marijuana – and would ensure the city has regulations in place if a business wants to operate in Hazleton, Mayor Jeff Cusat said.
Council President Jack Mundie said the ordinances presented for city council's consideration are similar to legislation adopted in neighboring Hazle Township.
Mundie said that after reviewing information he received about the issue from state Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Township, he believes the medical marijuana industry would be adequately regulated by the state and boost the local tax base.
Mundie likened the industry to "pharmaceuticals," saying he's of the belief medical marijuana that would be dispensed would be in pill or oil form.
"It will be regulated by the state and I'm sure they'll keep an eye on it so it's not abused," Mundie said. "I'm all for trying to get businesses to come to Hazleton."
A dispensary or grower/processor could potentially set up shop in a building that's not currently in use – or buy property from Hazleton City Authority that would lead to revenue-sharing with the city, he said.
In either scenario, the city would realize property tax revenue, as well as tax revenue from employees who would work at the facility, he said.
While Mundie pointed out potential benefits, he stopped short of saying he supports that ordinances will be up for a vote.
Council members Robert Gavio and Grace Cuozzo, meanwhile, say they support the industry – and believe it could help the city and people suffering from the effects of serious medical conditions.
"I'm all for it – as long as it's controlled," Gavio said. "If think if we don't get on board, we're going to miss out."
Gavio believes the city should enact ordinances that most of its neighboring municipalities already have on the books.
While Cuozzo believes in the benefits of medical marijuana, she took issue with the amount of time Cusat waited to bring the ordinances before council.
Cuozzo, however, said the proposed zoning change must also go before the planning commission for review.
She also said that medical marijuana could be used by people with serious medical conditions, she believes it would be prescribed only after other treatment options have been proven ineffective.
"I am a proponent," she said. "I understand it quite well. But it's not going to be the drug of first choice. I don't think anybody understands that. That is something that I think is very, very important."
If the ordinances are approved, Cuozzo said she does not want to see a former mine site in southwest Hazleton house growers without knowing how runoff from a growing facility would affect the water table and mix with other contents at the site.
"If we apply for growers, it should be I-2, or heavy industrial – whatever you choose to call it," she said.
Council Vice President Jean Mope declined comment when asked about the ordinances Monday, but Councilman Dave Sosar didn't hesitate when running through a long list of concerns he has for the industry.
While much of what he read indicates that medical marijuana would be administered in pill or oil form, Sosar said state law is vague on the issue.
"Is it still available as something that would be smoked?" Sosar asked. "I think that opens a lot of problems if it does and even if it doesn't."
Sosar said he wants more information about prescription limitations – or how much a person gets at a time from a dispensary and has concerns for a provision of the law that allows people to designate as many as two "caregivers." A caregiver can hold that designation for five other people – opening the possibility for abuse, Sosar said.
While he's not disputing that medical marijuana can help people cope with different illnesses, Sosar said that other medications could serve as viable alternatives.
"I don't want to get into a doorway into something," he said. "You know and I know many states are looking to take this step into recreational use. Are we going down a slippery slope as well? I'm just not sure."
Sosar said he takes issue receiving the ordinances just a few days ahead of council's meeting, especially since the mayor could've brought the issue to council's attention after attending one of the conferences he spoke about attending in a published news report.
"I'm not a big fan of this," Sosar added. "I think there are too many variables in there that are just very questionable at this point."
The mayor said he doesn't see a downside to the industry. Police Chief Jerry Speziale – who served as a security advisory for a medical marijuana company in New Jersey – said he has no professional or personal objections to medical marijuana, either.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Council To Act On Mayor's Medical Marijuana Ordinance
Author: Sam Galski
Contact: 1-570-455-3636
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Website: Standard Speaker