DIXON COUNCIL DEBATES MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE

The subject of medical marijuana was a hot button at Tuesday's
meeting of the Dixon City Council.

So hot, in fact, that it'll make a repeat appearance in February.

At issue is whether to rescind a decision made in 2009 that
essentially banned medical marijuana dispensaries from locating to
Dixon. Vice Mayor Michael Ceremello has said such a facility could
infuse the community with much-needed revenue.

During the lengthy discussion, Councilman Dane Besneatte expressed
concern that the city could be sued for going against state law,
which allows the existence of such facilities.

Councilman Rick Fuller, meanwhile, worried about the potential for a
higher crime rate, should a medical marijuana dispensary come to town.

Deborah Winegar, a Dixon resident, vehemently opposed the potential
repeal based on personal experience.

"Take it from people who have been on the other side of this drug,"
she said, explaining that three people close to her had been addicts.
"It's not harmless. It's not something I'd like to have available for
the young people in our community and not in my back yard."

John Arabia, a Dixon resident, businessman and Solano law enforcement
official, also came out against the dispensaries. Citing crime
statistics and professional experience, he told the council that
crime would jump and costs would rise as police dealt with that increase.

"Dispensaries are not immune to being robbed," he said. "Dispensaries
make a very attractive target to criminals because they have a large
amount of cash, typically, and they have a lot of marijuana present."

Fellow resident Russ Cayler injected a moral objection and called for
more input.

"This is a very, very complex change," he said. "In order to make it
acceptable to the people, you really need to ask them."

The council agreed. Much more discussion is needed before any action
is taken on the matter, the members said, and directed staff to
continue talks at the council's first meeting in February. Upon
learning the will of the residents, they said, further direction would be given.