Robert Celt
New Member
The Salinas City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance allowing and regulating the use of medical marijuana in the city.
A council majority, led by Councilwoman Jyl Lutes and Mayor Joe Gunter along with council members Gloria De La Rosa and Tony Barrera all voted for the ordinance that will allow for the issuance of three permits each for the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries, growing operations, distribution/delivery systems and pot product manufacturing.
Casting dissenting votes were council members Kimbley Craig and Jose Castaneda.
Councilman Steve McShane was absent from the meeting.
The council also approved the creation of a special medical marijuana tax that will be linked the issuance of the permits and which will be designed to pay for the city's expenses in regulating medical marijuana in Salinas.
City staff is expected to soon bring back a report to the council recommending a specific tax rate – perhaps 10 percent – at an upcoming meeting. If council OKs that tax rate it will then be put before the city's voters for consideration during the November general election.
"If (the city's voters) don't approve the sales tax to cover the city's costs then we can't have the (main) ordinance," said Gunter.
Lutes praised the ordinance and the city's approach to the issue.
"This is a good, cautious approach that will serve this city well," she said.
The council ended up following the unanimous recommendations of the Salinas Planning Commission.
At its Jan. 6 meeting the commission recommended the ordinance allow medical marijuana dispensaries, growing operations, distribution systems and pot product manufacturing in the city and that the city issue three permits for each of the uses.
City staff initially recommended a "go-slow" approach, saying that it would be better to issue just one permit during the first year for each of the four uses.
The council on Tuesday adopted the commission's desire to add a weekend day – Saturdays – to the allowable hours of operation for permit holders.
The ordinance will not allow for the recreational use of marijuana, although that issue too is expected to be resolved by the state's voters this November.
The Salinas council's decision to OK medical marijuana dispensaries and the other three kinds of pot-related uses follows the establishment last year of Monterey County's very first medical marijuana dispensary in Del Rey Oaks.
Now approved, the new ordinance is scheduled to go into effect in 30 days.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: CA: Salinas Council OKs Medical Pot Regulations
Author: Jeff Mitchell
Contact: The Californian
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Website: The Californian
A council majority, led by Councilwoman Jyl Lutes and Mayor Joe Gunter along with council members Gloria De La Rosa and Tony Barrera all voted for the ordinance that will allow for the issuance of three permits each for the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries, growing operations, distribution/delivery systems and pot product manufacturing.
Casting dissenting votes were council members Kimbley Craig and Jose Castaneda.
Councilman Steve McShane was absent from the meeting.
The council also approved the creation of a special medical marijuana tax that will be linked the issuance of the permits and which will be designed to pay for the city's expenses in regulating medical marijuana in Salinas.
City staff is expected to soon bring back a report to the council recommending a specific tax rate – perhaps 10 percent – at an upcoming meeting. If council OKs that tax rate it will then be put before the city's voters for consideration during the November general election.
"If (the city's voters) don't approve the sales tax to cover the city's costs then we can't have the (main) ordinance," said Gunter.
Lutes praised the ordinance and the city's approach to the issue.
"This is a good, cautious approach that will serve this city well," she said.
The council ended up following the unanimous recommendations of the Salinas Planning Commission.
At its Jan. 6 meeting the commission recommended the ordinance allow medical marijuana dispensaries, growing operations, distribution systems and pot product manufacturing in the city and that the city issue three permits for each of the uses.
City staff initially recommended a "go-slow" approach, saying that it would be better to issue just one permit during the first year for each of the four uses.
The council on Tuesday adopted the commission's desire to add a weekend day – Saturdays – to the allowable hours of operation for permit holders.
The ordinance will not allow for the recreational use of marijuana, although that issue too is expected to be resolved by the state's voters this November.
The Salinas council's decision to OK medical marijuana dispensaries and the other three kinds of pot-related uses follows the establishment last year of Monterey County's very first medical marijuana dispensary in Del Rey Oaks.
Now approved, the new ordinance is scheduled to go into effect in 30 days.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: CA: Salinas Council OKs Medical Pot Regulations
Author: Jeff Mitchell
Contact: The Californian
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Website: The Californian
