MUKILTEO COUNCIL PASSES RULES ALLOWING MEDICAL MARIJUANA GARDENS

MUKILTEO -- The Mukilteo City Council on Monday approved interim
zoning regulations for medical marijuana collective gardens.

The council at its last meeting July 18 rejected an emergency
temporary ban on the gardens.

"We are aware of the need, we are aware of the interest," Council
President Richard Emery said Monday. "We are also aware of the concern
over how we manage our city. I think we will be better served as a
community if we have some kind of rules."

The rules are effective immediately and valid for six months. City
employees are expected to prepare permanent regulations by the time
the issue is before the council again.

Under the rules adopted Monday, collective gardens will be allowed in
light industrial areas.

Any collective garden will have to be at least 500 feet away from an
existing collective garden, community center, public park, school,
house or apartment building.

Proprietors will need to comply with existing laws and submit floor
and electrical plans for inspection. They will have to pay $333 to
apply for the Collective Garden Safety License. Renewing the annual
license carries the same fee.

A new state law allows qualified patients to unite to grow marijuana
for medical use. Up to 10 patients can create a collective garden and
harvest up to 45 plants and 4.5 pounds of usable cannabis.
Dispensaries remain illegal in the state.

Lake Stevens, Marysville and Snohomish enacted temporary bans earlier
in response to the new law. City officials, including in Mukilteo,
said they needed more time to research the issue and write appropriate
regulations.

Council members Tony Tinsley, Jennifer Gregerson and Kevin Stoltz
voted against a temporary ban.

Councilwoman Jennifer Gregerson said Monday that the public should
start seeing medical marijuana users as people suffering from brain
tumors and other life-threatening conditions.

"I think it can sound scary to have people coming to the city to buy
medical marijuana," she said. "But there are people in Mukilteo who
use medical marijuana. Take my word for it."