PORT ORCHARD EXTENDS MORATORIUM ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA
DISPENSARIES

PORT ORCHARD -- Former Port Orchard City Councilman Tom Stansbery
traveled to Seattle during his final illness to obtain the medical
cannabis that relieved his pain and discomfort, his widow Christine
Stansbery told the City Council on Tuesday.

Mrs. Stansbery testified during a public hearing at which the council
considered whether to extend the moratorium on medical marijuana
dispensaries it imposed in February, when the Legislature was debating
a law revising the rules. The council ultimately voted 6-1 Tuesday to
extend the moratorium for six months, despite the objections of
Stansbery and others.

"You have a unique opportunity that so many municipalities are
sidestepping to do something good for people," Stansbery said.

Others at the hearing also testified against extending the moratorium,
including Kris Rundquist of Tacoma Greenthumb. Rundquist abandoned his
plans for a dispensary within city limits and now operates a referral
service, hooking up people who grow marijuana with authorized patients
willing to contribute to the cost of supplies.

"I'm here to tell you guys there's hundreds of patients inside the
city who are looking for a place to find their prescriptions,"
Rundquist said.

But at least one person in the audience urged the council to stay the
course.

"I would like to see you keep that moratorium in place," said resident
Mary Felts, who is worried about abuse of the medical marijuana law.

City Attorney Greg Jacoby told the council that extending the
moratorium would give the city's planning commission time to review
zoning and other regulations, now that the new law has taken effect.
Looking at the options would not compel the council to adopt laws
condoning dispensaries, he said.

Jacoby said the ordinance before the council did not address a
provision of the new law for collective gardens.

Outside the meeting, Rundquist said he knows of about 200 people in
Kitsap County who stand ready to establish collective gardens.

Jacoby told the council he would gather information on the gardens a
council meeting next week.

Councilman Fred Olin asked about the federal stance on state and local
governments' regulation of medical marijuana.

Marijuana, medical or otherwise, remains illegal under federal law,
Jacoby said. But he suggested some patients may fly under the radar.

"I think they have been a little ambiguous about individual users of
medical marijuana who have been consistent with a state's law," Jacoby
said. "I would be very surprised to see any prosecution under that
circumstance."

As for whether the city could be seen as complicit for enacting
regulations, Jacoby said, "If the council chooses to adopt
regulations, we should have that discussion."

Councilman Fred Chang urged city planners to move forward quickly with
analysis of what zoning and other regulations might apply to
dispensaries. He tried to pin down an earlier deadline for a
resolution of the issue and suggested his support for allowing
dispensaries in the city.

"I also want to commend Chris Stansbery for putting a face on this,"
Chang said. "This really drives home there are people in the city who
are in pain, who have to go to the city (Seattle), who have to go to
drug dealers or ask their kids' friends, and I think that's really
sad."

Chang voted against extending the moratorium. Voting for the measure
were Rob Putaansu, Carolyn Powers, Jerry Childs, Fred Olin, Jim
Colebank and John Clauson.