Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Medical marijuana debates are heating up in Wellington and across the state.
I wrote a story about the Village Council discussing how to regulate it. When that story went up on the Post on Wellington Facebook page, negative comments started.
"How 'bout we insist that our Village pass legislation keeping these dispensaries OUT of Wellington completely?" one person asked.
" I agree it's going to make Wellington attract the wrong kind of people. Let them drive to Royal Palm," another chimed in.
During the initial discussions, Mayor Anne Gerwig didn't seem too keen on having medical marijuana in Wellington either. She asked questions about the federal legality and how strict the village can regulate it.
Even in Royal Palm Beach, which already unanimously passed a medical marijuana ordinance, multiple councilmen spoke out against allowing the drug and said they voted against it.
But here's the problem: The vast majority of the voters wanted medical marijuana.
The amendment needed a super majority of more than 60 percent to pass last November and it by far surpassed that. Statewide, medical marijuana passed with more than 70 percent of the vote and Palm Beach County outpaced that with three in four voters approving it.
What about the voters in Wellington? They overwhelmingly voted "yes" too.
In fact, the yes vote won every precinct except Emerald Cove Middle School, where out of only three voters, two voted no on the amendment.
The village mostly followed the county and state numbers with the "yes" votes winning between 2-to-1 and 3-to-1 at most of the larger precincts.
At Villa Olympia Clubhouse, the total was 1,742 to 760. At St. Peter's Methodist Church it was 1,329 to 459. At Wellington Elementary School it was 1,239 to 497.
Bottom line: This is what the voters wanted in Wellington, in Palm Beach County and statewide.
Now the question for municipalities becomes whether to pass an ordinance now or pass a moratorium and wait for the state to regulate it.
Royal Palm Beach passed an ordinance with the idea of getting out in front of the state legislation, hoping to keep a policy in place.
The Palm Beach County Commission and cities like West Palm Beach decided to go the moratorium route. That doesn't mean they are keeping medical marijuana dispensaries out of their city. It means they are taking some time to wait on the state laws before they put their own ideas in place.
If Wellington wants an ordinance it would be wise to put one in place by May, before Governor Rick Scott signs a statewide law.
The choice for Wellington is ordinance or moratorium – not to keep medical marijuana out of the village.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Where Does Wellington Stand On Medical Marijuana?
Author: Matt Morgan
Contact: 561-820-4663
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: myPalmBeachPost
I wrote a story about the Village Council discussing how to regulate it. When that story went up on the Post on Wellington Facebook page, negative comments started.
"How 'bout we insist that our Village pass legislation keeping these dispensaries OUT of Wellington completely?" one person asked.
" I agree it's going to make Wellington attract the wrong kind of people. Let them drive to Royal Palm," another chimed in.
During the initial discussions, Mayor Anne Gerwig didn't seem too keen on having medical marijuana in Wellington either. She asked questions about the federal legality and how strict the village can regulate it.
Even in Royal Palm Beach, which already unanimously passed a medical marijuana ordinance, multiple councilmen spoke out against allowing the drug and said they voted against it.
But here's the problem: The vast majority of the voters wanted medical marijuana.
The amendment needed a super majority of more than 60 percent to pass last November and it by far surpassed that. Statewide, medical marijuana passed with more than 70 percent of the vote and Palm Beach County outpaced that with three in four voters approving it.
What about the voters in Wellington? They overwhelmingly voted "yes" too.
In fact, the yes vote won every precinct except Emerald Cove Middle School, where out of only three voters, two voted no on the amendment.
The village mostly followed the county and state numbers with the "yes" votes winning between 2-to-1 and 3-to-1 at most of the larger precincts.
At Villa Olympia Clubhouse, the total was 1,742 to 760. At St. Peter's Methodist Church it was 1,329 to 459. At Wellington Elementary School it was 1,239 to 497.
Bottom line: This is what the voters wanted in Wellington, in Palm Beach County and statewide.
Now the question for municipalities becomes whether to pass an ordinance now or pass a moratorium and wait for the state to regulate it.
Royal Palm Beach passed an ordinance with the idea of getting out in front of the state legislation, hoping to keep a policy in place.
The Palm Beach County Commission and cities like West Palm Beach decided to go the moratorium route. That doesn't mean they are keeping medical marijuana dispensaries out of their city. It means they are taking some time to wait on the state laws before they put their own ideas in place.
If Wellington wants an ordinance it would be wise to put one in place by May, before Governor Rick Scott signs a statewide law.
The choice for Wellington is ordinance or moratorium – not to keep medical marijuana out of the village.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Where Does Wellington Stand On Medical Marijuana?
Author: Matt Morgan
Contact: 561-820-4663
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: myPalmBeachPost
