COUNCIL VOTE ADVANCES BAN ON POT DISPENSARIES

The City Council's second reading of an ordinance banning medical
marijuana dispensaries in the city prompted at least one resident to
loudly express his disappointment Wednesday night.

"Shame on you," Randy Whiting of Cathedral City said as he left the
council meeting, after hearing council members pass the second
reading with a 3 to 2 vote.

Whiting spoke earlier in the meeting, defending the use of medical
marijuana.

"It's time to make it available," he said. "It's to do something for
the benefit of everyone."

The ordinance declares establishing, maintaining or operating a
medical marijuana dispensary is a "public nuisance" and an "unlawful
use" in Cathedral City.

Council members also on Wednesday voted 3 to 2 on the first reading
of a companion ordinance which bans medical marijuana dispensaries in
any city zone.

Councilmen Greg Pettis and Paul Marchand voted against both
ordinances.

Marchand said banning medical marijuana dispensaries in the city will
drive people to buy marijuana underground.

"It will not be relegated. It will not be safe," said Marchand, who
added that the council was writing off those who would like to buy
their medicinal marijuana safely.

However, Mayor Pro Tem Charles "Bud" England pointed out that
residents can go to Palm Springs to buy medical marijuana. The Palm
Springs City Council recently voted to allow two medical marijuana
collectives to operate as licensed facilities.