RED BLUFF BANS MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES, MEDICAL POT CULTIVATION

RED BLUFF Despite more than two hours of impassioned pleas and threats
of lawsuits, the City Council on Tuesday night approved two measures
banning medical marijuana cultivation and dispensing within Red
Bluff's boundaries.

In a 4-1 vote, the panel amended the city code to specifically outlaw
collectives and cultivation in all zones. In addition, the council
unanimously adopted a temporary urgency ordinance that immediately
prohibits dispensaries and collectives.

Councilman Jim Byrne voted against the code change, noting that any
use not specifically permitted is prohibited.

I think it's redundant to add another ordinance to an ordinance that
already exists," he said.

Of the some two dozen people who addressed the council -- many of them
several times -- most were against any sort of ban. They included
medical marijuana patients with a variety of ailments, as well as
owners of local collectives.

But Ali Abbassi of Red Bluff, who attended with his wife and teenage
daughter, said he considered marijuana a dangerous drug.

Let it be handled through the state and pharmaceutical arena," he
said.

Ashley Aguiar, co-owner of the Blue Toad collective, implored
councilmen to keep an open mind.

Don't give in to fear," she said. "Let us show you how a law-abiding
dispensary operates."

Ken Prather, who with his wife, Kathy, operates the 935-member THC
collective in Corning, complained about his treatment by Red Bluff
officials when applying for a permit to operate a storefront and
meeting hall on Antelope Boulevard. He was among those arguing that
the city's actions are contrary to state law.

While he said he had compassion for patients, Councilman Forrest Flynn
noted there were citizens outside the meeting he had to consider.

We've got to think about the entire community," he said. "We have to
make it safe for everybody."

About 50 people were seated during the often heated exchanges, while
others stood throughout, spilling out into the hallway.

In response to a question by Councilman Jeff Moyer, Police Chief Paul
Nanfito said the laws governing medical marijuana were ambiguous and
therefore the new ordinance would be a useful tool for pursuing people
in the business strictly for profit.

Councilman Bob Carrel, noting he lost a brother to a drug overdose,
said more regulation would help relieve an already overburdened police
force and cash-strapped city. When audience members suggested legal
action against the city would also would be costly, Flynn bristled.

I will not be intimidated by the threat of a lawsuit," he said. "We
hear this all the time."