Jacob Bell
New Member
Cities should be able to decide for themselves how and where medical marijuana shops operate within their boundaries, Seattle's mayor, City Council and City Attorney say in a letter to state lawmakers in which they urge the Legislature to pass a medical cannabis bill now being considered.
Senate Bill 5073 is being heard by the House Health Care committee Monday afternoon. The legislation establishes a regulatory system for the medical marijuana business and seeks to establish criminal liability protection for patients, doctors and providers. Washington is one of 15 states where pot use for medical purposes is legal; Voters here overwhelmingly approved an initiative in 1998.
"It is in everyone's interest - the state's, local governments', law enforcement's, health care professionals', and patients' - to put in place a consistent, coherent, and rational regulatory system spelling out precisely how dispensaries and production facilities can operate," the letter (PDF) released Monday morning from Mayor Mike McGinn, City Attorney Pete Holmes and Council President Richard Conlin said. The letter was signed by the eight other City Council members. "We urge you to pass SB 5073. We also urge adoption of a limited number of amendments."
Seattle officials want the measure changed to allow for both profit and non profit dispensaries. The measure currently would only allow non profit shops. And City officials want specific language detailing that "cities, towns, and counties" could adopt zoning, licensing, health and tax" rules for medical marijuana. Municipalities would also be able to prohibit medical marijuana businesses under the language suggested by Seattle.
Some in the medical marijuana community have problems with the bill that passed out of the Senate, complaining that it decreases the number of pot plants that could be collectively grown below the current limit, would ban medical marijuana advertising and doesn't do enough to protect users.
News Hawk- Jacob Husky 420 MAGAZINE
Source: seattlepi.com
Author: Chris Grygiel
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Hearst Seattle Media, LLC
Website: Seattle tells Leg. to pass medical pot bill, let cities decide where shops go
Senate Bill 5073 is being heard by the House Health Care committee Monday afternoon. The legislation establishes a regulatory system for the medical marijuana business and seeks to establish criminal liability protection for patients, doctors and providers. Washington is one of 15 states where pot use for medical purposes is legal; Voters here overwhelmingly approved an initiative in 1998.
"It is in everyone's interest - the state's, local governments', law enforcement's, health care professionals', and patients' - to put in place a consistent, coherent, and rational regulatory system spelling out precisely how dispensaries and production facilities can operate," the letter (PDF) released Monday morning from Mayor Mike McGinn, City Attorney Pete Holmes and Council President Richard Conlin said. The letter was signed by the eight other City Council members. "We urge you to pass SB 5073. We also urge adoption of a limited number of amendments."
Seattle officials want the measure changed to allow for both profit and non profit dispensaries. The measure currently would only allow non profit shops. And City officials want specific language detailing that "cities, towns, and counties" could adopt zoning, licensing, health and tax" rules for medical marijuana. Municipalities would also be able to prohibit medical marijuana businesses under the language suggested by Seattle.
Some in the medical marijuana community have problems with the bill that passed out of the Senate, complaining that it decreases the number of pot plants that could be collectively grown below the current limit, would ban medical marijuana advertising and doesn't do enough to protect users.
News Hawk- Jacob Husky 420 MAGAZINE
Source: seattlepi.com
Author: Chris Grygiel
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Hearst Seattle Media, LLC
Website: Seattle tells Leg. to pass medical pot bill, let cities decide where shops go
