PLANNERS BAN MARIJUANA COLLECTIVES

The Anderson planning commission voted to ban medical marijuana on
Monday, August 8, 2011. During an evening meeting that grew heated at
times, the commission voted 3 to 1 to prohibit collectives. Voting for
the ban were commissioner Barnett, Baugh and Mower. Commissioner
Haggard was the lone dissent. Chairman Walton was not in attendance.

The city's council chambers were packed with people determined to tell
the story of medical marijuana's many benefits, but city commissioners
were quick to point out that the issue at hand was not whether medical
marijuana was beneficial to patients, but what Anderson residents wanted.

"We are here to represent the city of Anderson," said Commissioner
Mower. "It doesn't matter what I think. It's what the residents of
Anderson think."

Commissioner Baugh felt the same way.

"Out of 100 people," said Baugh, "I've had two people say they think
we should have a collective."

For close to an hour, proponents of a resolution to regulate marijuana
were still trying to state their case. Commissioners Barnett, Baugh
and Mower held firm. Later, it was Baugh that motioned to adopt
Resolution No. PC 11-08 -- a recommendation for the city council to
add Chapter 17.66 to the Anderson Municipal Code prohibiting medical
marijuana.

The outcry was immediate. Shortly after the vote, proponents of a
resolution regulating marijuana exited the room.

With the commissioners' recommendation in place, the matter now moves
on to city council. City manager Dana Shigley stated the issue will be
discussed on Sept. 20.