Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Medical marijuana is turning into the hot topic of study, discussion and action for city and county government.
On Tuesday, the Corning City Council voted unanimously to issue a state-required public report pertaining to the 45-day interim ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries, collectives or cooperatives approved on Aug. 11.
The report is scheduled to be signed by the mayor and made public on Friday subject to approval by council members.
City Planner John Stoufer, who is preparing the report, said it will describe all of the measures the council has taken since the interim ordinance was approved, such as a study session held Aug. 25 with the city Planning Commission and review of material submitted to the council.
A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Olive View Elementary School auditorium for the council to consider a 10-month and 15-day extension of the interim ordinance to give staff time to draft and adopt an ordinance regulating where and how medicinal marijuana can be grown, smoked and sold in Corning.
The community has been a buzz about a medical marijuana dispensary owned by Ken and Kathy Prather, located on Solano Street, which is operating as a nonprofit enterprise under state and federal documentation but without a city business license, said Ken Prather.
Stoufer, who denied the license, said, “I did so on the basis a medical marijuana collective/dispensary is not listed as permitted use within city zoning ordinances.”
Following the advise of their attorney, Eric Berg, the Prathers have kept the business open despite the ordinance and a visit from Corning police Chief Tony Cardenas and one of his officers informing them they are in violation of a city ordinance.
The document, signed by Stoufer, explains if the business is not closed down, and the Prathers are found guilty of the infraction, they could be fined.
The county may be following in Corning’s footsteps on Tuesday as the Board of Supervisors considers a 45-day interim ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperative and collectives within the county jurisdiction.
“In light of what has happened in Corning, the county and the Board of Supervisors needs to take the time to research whether there is a need for medical marijuana dispensaries in the unincorporated area,” said Supervisor Bob Williams.
During the 45-day interim, the county will be looking at where a dispensary would be allowed, considering regulations and if dispensaries could be taxed.
“A lot will go into this before and be the board would allow a dispensary to be in the county,” Williams said. “I think we also need the time to see how current court cases concerning medical marijuana shakes out.”
He said he doesn’t want the county to get caught off guard the way Corning did.
“We want to have our ducks in a row before someone submits paperwork for a medical marijuana dispensary,” said the supervisor. “If the ordinance is adopted the board will look very closely at our county code, study the subject and understand what our options are.”
The interim ordinance will be presented to the board by Williams and Supervisor Gregg Avilla.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: corning-observer.com
Author: Julie R. Johnson
Copyright: 2009 Freedom Communications, Inc.
Contact: Contact Us : Corning Observer
Website: Rules of medical pot under review | council, city, medical - Local News - Corning Observer
On Tuesday, the Corning City Council voted unanimously to issue a state-required public report pertaining to the 45-day interim ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries, collectives or cooperatives approved on Aug. 11.
The report is scheduled to be signed by the mayor and made public on Friday subject to approval by council members.
City Planner John Stoufer, who is preparing the report, said it will describe all of the measures the council has taken since the interim ordinance was approved, such as a study session held Aug. 25 with the city Planning Commission and review of material submitted to the council.
A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Olive View Elementary School auditorium for the council to consider a 10-month and 15-day extension of the interim ordinance to give staff time to draft and adopt an ordinance regulating where and how medicinal marijuana can be grown, smoked and sold in Corning.
The community has been a buzz about a medical marijuana dispensary owned by Ken and Kathy Prather, located on Solano Street, which is operating as a nonprofit enterprise under state and federal documentation but without a city business license, said Ken Prather.
Stoufer, who denied the license, said, “I did so on the basis a medical marijuana collective/dispensary is not listed as permitted use within city zoning ordinances.”
Following the advise of their attorney, Eric Berg, the Prathers have kept the business open despite the ordinance and a visit from Corning police Chief Tony Cardenas and one of his officers informing them they are in violation of a city ordinance.
The document, signed by Stoufer, explains if the business is not closed down, and the Prathers are found guilty of the infraction, they could be fined.
The county may be following in Corning’s footsteps on Tuesday as the Board of Supervisors considers a 45-day interim ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperative and collectives within the county jurisdiction.
“In light of what has happened in Corning, the county and the Board of Supervisors needs to take the time to research whether there is a need for medical marijuana dispensaries in the unincorporated area,” said Supervisor Bob Williams.
During the 45-day interim, the county will be looking at where a dispensary would be allowed, considering regulations and if dispensaries could be taxed.
“A lot will go into this before and be the board would allow a dispensary to be in the county,” Williams said. “I think we also need the time to see how current court cases concerning medical marijuana shakes out.”
He said he doesn’t want the county to get caught off guard the way Corning did.
“We want to have our ducks in a row before someone submits paperwork for a medical marijuana dispensary,” said the supervisor. “If the ordinance is adopted the board will look very closely at our county code, study the subject and understand what our options are.”
The interim ordinance will be presented to the board by Williams and Supervisor Gregg Avilla.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: corning-observer.com
Author: Julie R. Johnson
Copyright: 2009 Freedom Communications, Inc.
Contact: Contact Us : Corning Observer
Website: Rules of medical pot under review | council, city, medical - Local News - Corning Observer
