COUNCIL TO LOOK AT TEMPORARY BAN ON NEW DISPENSARIES

ARCATA -- City staff is asking the City Council to impose a temporary
ban on the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries, citing
the need for more time in developing zoning guidelines to regulate them.

The ban will be among the discussion at the council's meeting
Wednesday where it will also discuss the revision of land use codes,
unmet transportation needs and set the dates for budget study sessions.

In previous session, concerns were brought by residents about illegal
grow houses and the need to regulate marijuana sales in general,
according to staff reports.

After reviewing appeals from The Humboldt Cooperative and Humboldt
Medical Supply regarding the Planning Commission's decision to turn
down an application for the building of a marijuana dispensary on I
Street, the city raised concerns about categorizing dispensaries
under certain zoning regulations.

The staff is working toward meeting with one of the four established
medical marijuana dispensaries to review the need in the area, as
well as schedule public hearings before the Planning Commission in
order to development land use guidelines that will regulate medical
marijuana dispensaries, growing, and processing operations as well as
grow houses.

The temporary ban would last 45 days, but can be extended for up to
10 months and 15 days after pending notice and public hearings. After
the first extension, the ban can be extended for up to a year.

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IF YOU GO:

What: Arcata City Council meeting

Where: City Hall, 736 F Street

When: Wednesday, 6 p.m.