News (Media Awareness Project) - US CA: Saying No To Medical Marijuana |
| Title: | US CA: Saying No To Medical Marijuana |
| Published On: | 2009-05-26 |
| Source: | Reporter, The (Vacaville, CA) |
| Fetched On: | 2009-05-26 15:37:05 |
SAYING NO TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Vacaville could be blunt in preventing medical marijuana dispensaries
from moving to the city -- if the City Council chooses to enact a
moratorium on such establishments.
City staff is recommending a "just say no" approach to marijuana
dispensaries in the city, and council members will be asked to adopt
a 45-day urgency moratorium at tonight's meeting.
The purpose of the interim ordinance, according to a staff report, is
to "promote the public health, safety or welfare during the time that
city staff analyzes and prepares a study on medical marijuana dispensaries."
The moratorium would give staff time to research the issues and
consult with the city attorney.
The staff report warns that if medical marijuana dispensaries are
allowed to operate in the city without appropriate staff review, the
dispensaries could conflict with requirements in the city's general
plan, zoning ordinance and forthcoming city regulations.
Some cities have already taken strides to prevent such facilities
from being established.
Locally, according to the staff report, Benicia adopted a similar
interim urgency ordinance two months ago, while Fairfield has adopted
a permanent ordinance in which dispensaries are not an allowable use
anywhere in the city.
Rio Vista is considering either an interim or permanent ordinance to
prohibit the dispensaries.
On the other hand, Suisun City and Vallejo do not expressly prohibit
medical marijuana dispensaries, although the cities have interpreted
their zoning codes as not allowing dispensaries since they are not
classified as a permitted use.
Dixon, however, does permit medical marijuana dispensaries, but they
are prohibited in any residential zone or within 1,000 feet of
another dispensary, school or youth-oriented establishment.
Although the urgency moratorium is effective for 45 days, it can be
extended by the council for up to 10 months and 15 days, and a second
time for up to an additional year.
The Vacaville City Council meets at 7 p.m. in the City Council
Chamber, 650 Merchant St.
Vacaville could be blunt in preventing medical marijuana dispensaries
from moving to the city -- if the City Council chooses to enact a
moratorium on such establishments.
City staff is recommending a "just say no" approach to marijuana
dispensaries in the city, and council members will be asked to adopt
a 45-day urgency moratorium at tonight's meeting.
The purpose of the interim ordinance, according to a staff report, is
to "promote the public health, safety or welfare during the time that
city staff analyzes and prepares a study on medical marijuana dispensaries."
The moratorium would give staff time to research the issues and
consult with the city attorney.
The staff report warns that if medical marijuana dispensaries are
allowed to operate in the city without appropriate staff review, the
dispensaries could conflict with requirements in the city's general
plan, zoning ordinance and forthcoming city regulations.
Some cities have already taken strides to prevent such facilities
from being established.
Locally, according to the staff report, Benicia adopted a similar
interim urgency ordinance two months ago, while Fairfield has adopted
a permanent ordinance in which dispensaries are not an allowable use
anywhere in the city.
Rio Vista is considering either an interim or permanent ordinance to
prohibit the dispensaries.
On the other hand, Suisun City and Vallejo do not expressly prohibit
medical marijuana dispensaries, although the cities have interpreted
their zoning codes as not allowing dispensaries since they are not
classified as a permitted use.
Dixon, however, does permit medical marijuana dispensaries, but they
are prohibited in any residential zone or within 1,000 feet of
another dispensary, school or youth-oriented establishment.
Although the urgency moratorium is effective for 45 days, it can be
extended by the council for up to 10 months and 15 days, and a second
time for up to an additional year.
The Vacaville City Council meets at 7 p.m. in the City Council
Chamber, 650 Merchant St.
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