CA: After Lengthy Ban, Medical Marijuana May Get Second Chance In Concord

Ron Strider

Well-Known Member
Reflecting society's greater acceptance of marijuana use, city leaders may repeal a ban on medical pot dispensaries and home delivery that has stood for more than a decade.

When Concord prohibited dispensaries and delivery in 2005, and outdoor cultivation eight years later, the city was in step with most of its central Contra Costa County neighbors.

But the times – and attitudes – have changed. Last year, nearly 61 percent of Concord voters supported Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana use for adults.

During a recent Policy Development and Internal Operations Committee meeting, residents who use marijuana to relieve nausea and other side effects of prescription drugs urged Mayor Laura Hoffmeister and Councilman Edi Birsan to revoke the ban.

Although residents said dispensaries in Oakland and Berkeley are safe and employ knowledgeable and professional staff, making frequent out-of-town trips to purchase medical cannabis is inconvenient.

"Let's get it available to the people," said Devlyn Sewell, who encouraged the council members to be leaders.

Hoffmeister and Birsan recommended that the full council consider quickly lifting the ban on medical pot deliveries.

"We have people in pain in our city who need medical supplies, is that not an urgency situation?" said Birsan, who also supports allowing up to five medical pot dispensaries to operate in Concord.

Hoffmeister said she is "not necessarily opposed" to a limited number of dispensaries if they are restricted to the city's northern outskirts.

Concord is the latest Bay Area city to review its marijuana regulations now that recreational use is legal. In April, San Ramon imposed a ban on all dispensaries, and Walnut Creek leaders voted recently to extend until 2019 a ban on outdoor marijuana cultivation, commercial grow operations and sales.

Under state law, adults are allowed to grow six marijuana plants inside a private residence for their personal use. However, municipalities may regulate or prohibit cultivation outdoors and for commercial purposes, as well as retail sales of marijuana products.

In January, Concord expanded the existing ban on growing marijuana outdoors to include plants intended for recreational consumption.

Next month, the council is scheduled to discuss a slate of policy options including allowing medical marijuana delivery and dispensaries; adopting a temporary ban on all recreational pot activities except those allowed under state law; authorizing indoor commercial medical marijuana grows and testing labs; and surveying residents to find out how they feel about recreational marijuana.

Concord residents may have supported Proposition 64 because they believe it should be legal to smoke pot, Hoffmeister said, but they may not want a retail shop in their neighborhood.

"I'm not quite sure what the community would tolerate," she added.

Odor complaints and crime concerns drove Concord to prohibit outdoor medical marijuana cultivation in 2013. Last year, police received 10 reports of pot growing in backyards, but only five were valid and those plants were removed, according to police Chief Guy Swanger.

Pleasant Hill allows qualified patients to grow three plants outside for personal use, an approach Birsan supports. Hoffmeister wants more information about other cities' experiences.

But changing that policy may be a tough sell with residents like Laura Stiles, who opposes growing marijuana in the city.

"I do not feel it contributes to a wholesome environment, improves property values or makes Concord a family friendly city," she wrote in an email to the council. "It does not, in my opinion, meet our goals or contribute anything useful."

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News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Concord may repeal medical marijuana ban
Author: Lisa P. White
Contact: Contact Us – East Bay Times
Photo Credit: Thomson/Reuters
Website: East Bay Times - Contra Costa and Alameda county news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and commentary
 
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