The Camarillo City Council on Wednesday night unanimously approved an ordinance that would prohibit marijuana dispensaries to operate and deliver within city limits and also considered changes to its current smoking ordinance.
Camarillo City Attorney Brian Pierik outlined two main reasons for the prohibiting marijuana facilities in the area.
"The fact that medical marijuana users are fighting to use medical marijuana does not require the city to allow medical marijuana within the city," Pierik said. "Although medical marijuana is permitted under state law ... the use of any marijuana – medical or otherwise – is still illegal under federal law. The second reason is there has been a history of negative secondary effects that occur in the facilities, including criminal activity."
Pierik said increased illegal drug activity, robberies, traffic and noise often occur in the immediate area where dispensaries open.
Camarillo already had a moratorium on dispensaries, which was due to expire in June.
Under the new ordinance, delivering medical marijuana is also prohibited within the city limits, except for deliveries made by the primary caregiver of a patient.
The council will revisit the ordinance on April 13 for a second reading. The ordinance could take effect as early as May 13, Pierik said.
In other news, the city council also discussed changes to the city's smoking ordinance during a study session. The council did not make a decision Wednesday night, but directed city staff to make several amendments.
Under the proposed draft, smoking no longer will be allowed in certain public areas, permitted sites during public events, places of employment and certain sidewalks that would be later designated by the City Council.
Under the draft ordinance, there also will be no smoking allowed in retail tobacco stores that are not in stand-alone buildings.
Smoking, however, is permitted on parking lots or sidewalks if it is at least 25 feet away from any door or building, unless it is designated as a "no smoking" area by the resolution.
Under the ordinance, any proposed smoking lounge would also have to be housed in a stand-alone building.
The council could vote on the ordinance by April 14 and would have a second reading on April 28. If passed, the smoking ordinance could go into effect by May 20, Pierik said
News Hawk: Warbux 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: vcstar.com
Author: Marjorie Hernandez
Contact: Marjorie Hernandez, Staff writer - Ventura County Star's Department
Copyright: 2010 The Ventura County Star
Website: Camarillo passes new ban on marijuana dispensaries Ventura County Star
Camarillo City Attorney Brian Pierik outlined two main reasons for the prohibiting marijuana facilities in the area.
"The fact that medical marijuana users are fighting to use medical marijuana does not require the city to allow medical marijuana within the city," Pierik said. "Although medical marijuana is permitted under state law ... the use of any marijuana – medical or otherwise – is still illegal under federal law. The second reason is there has been a history of negative secondary effects that occur in the facilities, including criminal activity."
Pierik said increased illegal drug activity, robberies, traffic and noise often occur in the immediate area where dispensaries open.
Camarillo already had a moratorium on dispensaries, which was due to expire in June.
Under the new ordinance, delivering medical marijuana is also prohibited within the city limits, except for deliveries made by the primary caregiver of a patient.
The council will revisit the ordinance on April 13 for a second reading. The ordinance could take effect as early as May 13, Pierik said.
In other news, the city council also discussed changes to the city's smoking ordinance during a study session. The council did not make a decision Wednesday night, but directed city staff to make several amendments.
Under the proposed draft, smoking no longer will be allowed in certain public areas, permitted sites during public events, places of employment and certain sidewalks that would be later designated by the City Council.
Under the draft ordinance, there also will be no smoking allowed in retail tobacco stores that are not in stand-alone buildings.
Smoking, however, is permitted on parking lots or sidewalks if it is at least 25 feet away from any door or building, unless it is designated as a "no smoking" area by the resolution.
Under the ordinance, any proposed smoking lounge would also have to be housed in a stand-alone building.
The council could vote on the ordinance by April 14 and would have a second reading on April 28. If passed, the smoking ordinance could go into effect by May 20, Pierik said
News Hawk: Warbux 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: vcstar.com
Author: Marjorie Hernandez
Contact: Marjorie Hernandez, Staff writer - Ventura County Star's Department
Copyright: 2010 The Ventura County Star
Website: Camarillo passes new ban on marijuana dispensaries Ventura County Star
