The General
New Member
Washington State - A proposed land-use ordinance banning the production and sale of recreational marijuana in all unincorporated areas of Yakima County has failed to garner support from the Yakima County Planning Commission. During a meeting Wednesday night, the commission finalized its decision to recommend that the Yakima County Commission not finalize the proposed ban. Planning Commission Chairwoman Zella West said using a land-use ordinance to arbitrarily ban recreational marijuana isn't the way to go. She said there may be areas within the county that would meet certain criteria warranting a ban, but to issue one across all county land could raise legal questions.
"We were just concerned about that," she said during a telephone interview this morning. "And the public testimony was overwhelmingly in favor of appealing the proposed ban." Last month the planning commission held a public hearing on the matter, and more than 40 people showed up. Nearly all who spoke – roughly a dozen – opposed a ban. Now, county commissioners, who have final say, will review the planning commission's recommendation. County Commissioner Mike Leita said commissioners will review the planning commission's deliberations and reasons for opposing the proposed ban before making a final decision.
"At this point and time, it would be premature to decide," he said this morning. In the past, commissioners have voiced support for a ban. They took a stronger stance after the state attorney general issued an opinion that said Initiative 502 – which legalized recreation marijuana – doesn't prevent local governments from banning such operations. Although the opinion isn't binding, it may carry some weight with judges who may preside over such a case.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Yakimaherald.com
Author: Phil Ferolito
Contact: Yakima Herald Republic | Contact
Website: Yakima Herald Republic | Pot: Yakima County planning commission opposes ban
"We were just concerned about that," she said during a telephone interview this morning. "And the public testimony was overwhelmingly in favor of appealing the proposed ban." Last month the planning commission held a public hearing on the matter, and more than 40 people showed up. Nearly all who spoke – roughly a dozen – opposed a ban. Now, county commissioners, who have final say, will review the planning commission's recommendation. County Commissioner Mike Leita said commissioners will review the planning commission's deliberations and reasons for opposing the proposed ban before making a final decision.
"At this point and time, it would be premature to decide," he said this morning. In the past, commissioners have voiced support for a ban. They took a stronger stance after the state attorney general issued an opinion that said Initiative 502 – which legalized recreation marijuana – doesn't prevent local governments from banning such operations. Although the opinion isn't binding, it may carry some weight with judges who may preside over such a case.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Yakimaherald.com
Author: Phil Ferolito
Contact: Yakima Herald Republic | Contact
Website: Yakima Herald Republic | Pot: Yakima County planning commission opposes ban
