Robert Celt
New Member
ndio has become the second city in the Coachella Valley — behind Indian Wells — to completely ban medical marijuana-related businesses and cultivation within its borders.
Indio previously rejected a proposal that would have allowed medical marijuana dispensaries to operate within the city, as well as a request to allow medical marijuana delivery services within city limits.
But during Wednesday's council meeting, council in a 4-1 vote, approved an ordinance that expanded the city's ban on marijuana to include any commercial or recreational cultivation or processing.
Councilwoman Lupe Ramos Watson was the lone dissenting vote.
Indian Wells is the only other Coachella Valley city to ban all forms of medical pot sales, distribution or production within its borders.
Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City council members have approved dispensaries, delivery and cultivation within their city's borders — as well as detailed taxation plans for these businesses that help to boost city coffers and pay for much-needed quality of life services.
Other valley cities have been strict in their regulations of medical marijuana without imposing a ban.
Palm Desert's ordinance allows residents to grow as many as six marijuana plants for personal medical use, while Rancho Mirage allows for home delivery and Coachella allows for permitted cultivation.
In December, La Quinta City Council members banned dispensaries and cultivation within the city, but said they would be open to allowing delivery in the future.
City governments in California have until March to establish their own marijuana regulations before control is delegated to the state.
During a public hearing Wednesday at Indio's council meeting, resident Courtney Bateman asked council to forgo a ban in favor of regulation.
Bateman said when she was being treated for Lyme disease, she was prescribed opioids that she believes were more harmful than the medical cannabis she can now get at dispensaries in Palm Springs.
Another Indio resident, Vicki Jones, said she favored an outright ban and did not want to see her city go "downhill" because of the marijuana business.
"If this was something that could help (cancer patients), the pharmaceutical companies would be on this in a second because they would make a killing," Jones said.
Indio Mayor Glenn Miller said he would think about creating an ad hoc committee to look at data regarding medical marijuana delivery services in the future.
Councilman Mike Wilson, who helped prepare a report regarding medical marijuana that was presented to council in November, said the city might change its standards in the future, but that it would be best to wait and see how other valley cities deal with the issue before making a definitive move.
"In Indio, this isn't about money to us. It's about the impact it would have on the community," Wilson said. "Indio can sit and wait and watch."
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Indio Becomes 2nd Desert City To Ban Marijuana Business
Author: Anna Rumer
Contact: The Desert Sun
Photo Credit: Jeff Chiu
Website: The Desert Sun
Indio previously rejected a proposal that would have allowed medical marijuana dispensaries to operate within the city, as well as a request to allow medical marijuana delivery services within city limits.
But during Wednesday's council meeting, council in a 4-1 vote, approved an ordinance that expanded the city's ban on marijuana to include any commercial or recreational cultivation or processing.
Councilwoman Lupe Ramos Watson was the lone dissenting vote.
Indian Wells is the only other Coachella Valley city to ban all forms of medical pot sales, distribution or production within its borders.
Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City council members have approved dispensaries, delivery and cultivation within their city's borders — as well as detailed taxation plans for these businesses that help to boost city coffers and pay for much-needed quality of life services.
Other valley cities have been strict in their regulations of medical marijuana without imposing a ban.
Palm Desert's ordinance allows residents to grow as many as six marijuana plants for personal medical use, while Rancho Mirage allows for home delivery and Coachella allows for permitted cultivation.
In December, La Quinta City Council members banned dispensaries and cultivation within the city, but said they would be open to allowing delivery in the future.
City governments in California have until March to establish their own marijuana regulations before control is delegated to the state.
During a public hearing Wednesday at Indio's council meeting, resident Courtney Bateman asked council to forgo a ban in favor of regulation.
Bateman said when she was being treated for Lyme disease, she was prescribed opioids that she believes were more harmful than the medical cannabis she can now get at dispensaries in Palm Springs.
Another Indio resident, Vicki Jones, said she favored an outright ban and did not want to see her city go "downhill" because of the marijuana business.
"If this was something that could help (cancer patients), the pharmaceutical companies would be on this in a second because they would make a killing," Jones said.
Indio Mayor Glenn Miller said he would think about creating an ad hoc committee to look at data regarding medical marijuana delivery services in the future.
Councilman Mike Wilson, who helped prepare a report regarding medical marijuana that was presented to council in November, said the city might change its standards in the future, but that it would be best to wait and see how other valley cities deal with the issue before making a definitive move.
"In Indio, this isn't about money to us. It's about the impact it would have on the community," Wilson said. "Indio can sit and wait and watch."
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Indio Becomes 2nd Desert City To Ban Marijuana Business
Author: Anna Rumer
Contact: The Desert Sun
Photo Credit: Jeff Chiu
Website: The Desert Sun
