Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
A measure to ban growing medical marijuana failed Tuesday when the City Council deadlocked 2-2 on the ordinance spurred by two fires at grow houses and citizen complaints about neighborhood grow operations that smell like a skunk.
Councilmen Mitch Mashburn and Ron Rowlett voted for the measure, while Mayor Len Augustine and Councilman Curtis Hunt opposed the ordinance. Councilwoman Dilenna Harris abstained.
Augustine wondered whether what people who couldn't afford medical marijuana would do because of the ban.
"Some people when they get desperate will do anything," he said of people possibly being pushed into an illegal market for the drug.
Mashburn in supporting the measure said it is a safety issue and that some grows involve nearly 100 plants said to be for others with medical marijuana documents.
Police Chief John Carli told the council that many of the grow houses cultivate 100 plants and have paperwork that contends it's legal.
"This is not a problem that will go away," Carli said.
An individual can grow six mature plants for personal use under medical marijuana law in California.
Harris asked about a compromise measure that would address large growers without affecting people cultivating for personal use, prior to abstaining from the vote. She said later Tuesday that she wants more time to better explore options to meet the desires of police - so they can properly police those who skirt the line of what the law says is OK in terms of marijuana cultivation - as well as the desires of those who make use of medical marijuana.
"I didn't feel ready to say no, and I didn't feel ready to say yes," Harris said. "It's a complicated issue."
Five speakers, all opposed to the ban, spoke to the council and raised issues that included the benefits of medical marijuana and costs - as much as $1,000 a month for two people - to buy the drug at dispensaries.
Shana Faber, assistant city attorney for Vacaville, had said in a report to the council: "Cultivation of medical marijuana significantly impacts the health, safety and welfare of the public, including increasing the potential for structure fires and health hazards as a result of faulty electrical wiring and inadequate ventilation."
"Increased occurrences of home-invasion robberies and similar crimes" are a problem, added Faber, who also cited "noxious impacts to neighboring properties from the strong odors from the flowers of the plants."
A resident contacted the city to say medical marijuana cultivation requires substantial amounts of water, the city staff said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medi-pot ban fails in Vacaville Daily Republic
Author: Ryan McCarthy
Contact: rmccarthy@dailyrepublic.net
Photo Credit: Nhat V. Meyer / McClatchy-Tribune
Website: Daily Republic | Solano County's Breaking News Source
Councilmen Mitch Mashburn and Ron Rowlett voted for the measure, while Mayor Len Augustine and Councilman Curtis Hunt opposed the ordinance. Councilwoman Dilenna Harris abstained.
Augustine wondered whether what people who couldn't afford medical marijuana would do because of the ban.
"Some people when they get desperate will do anything," he said of people possibly being pushed into an illegal market for the drug.
Mashburn in supporting the measure said it is a safety issue and that some grows involve nearly 100 plants said to be for others with medical marijuana documents.
Police Chief John Carli told the council that many of the grow houses cultivate 100 plants and have paperwork that contends it's legal.
"This is not a problem that will go away," Carli said.
An individual can grow six mature plants for personal use under medical marijuana law in California.
Harris asked about a compromise measure that would address large growers without affecting people cultivating for personal use, prior to abstaining from the vote. She said later Tuesday that she wants more time to better explore options to meet the desires of police - so they can properly police those who skirt the line of what the law says is OK in terms of marijuana cultivation - as well as the desires of those who make use of medical marijuana.
"I didn't feel ready to say no, and I didn't feel ready to say yes," Harris said. "It's a complicated issue."
Five speakers, all opposed to the ban, spoke to the council and raised issues that included the benefits of medical marijuana and costs - as much as $1,000 a month for two people - to buy the drug at dispensaries.
Shana Faber, assistant city attorney for Vacaville, had said in a report to the council: "Cultivation of medical marijuana significantly impacts the health, safety and welfare of the public, including increasing the potential for structure fires and health hazards as a result of faulty electrical wiring and inadequate ventilation."
"Increased occurrences of home-invasion robberies and similar crimes" are a problem, added Faber, who also cited "noxious impacts to neighboring properties from the strong odors from the flowers of the plants."
A resident contacted the city to say medical marijuana cultivation requires substantial amounts of water, the city staff said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medi-pot ban fails in Vacaville Daily Republic
Author: Ryan McCarthy
Contact: rmccarthy@dailyrepublic.net
Photo Credit: Nhat V. Meyer / McClatchy-Tribune
Website: Daily Republic | Solano County's Breaking News Source
