Jacob Bell
New Member
City Council members voted unanimously Friday to extend an interim ordinance that prohibits medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperatives and collectives in Poway.
The extension, which is for 10 months and 15 days, will allow the city to continue its research about land-use zones and allowing such a business to operate within city limits. A 45-day urgency ordinance was approved July 6, also with a unanimous vote by council members.
During Friday's special meeting, city attorney Morgan Foley said he would rather extend the ordinance for the full limit "just to be safe," although he was not certain the city needs almost a year to make its decision.
The moratorium comes on the heels of a Los Angeles man being denied a business certificate to operate a marijuana collective in Poway. He applied in April, but the city denied him a business certificate.
Councilman Jim Cunningham said his concerns are that medical marijuana is ending up, namely in the hands of college kids, and those who do not need it for medicinal reasons. He did agree that medical marijuana has a place in society for the terminally ill, but the overall regulations are akin to "a ship without a captain." He does not see the need for a dispensary in Poway, when there is a functioning one four miles away in Rancho Bernardo.
During Friday's meeting, residents who favor a dispensary, and those who opposed it, expressed their opinions.
Resident Peter Neild gave a light scolding to the council about not having such an ordinance in place when the law allowing medical marijuana was passed in 1996. Neild said he could see the use of medical marijuana being helpful to the armed forces when the military returns from war zones.
"But there has to be some control," he added.
Sherrie Rubin and her son, Aaron, now a paraplegic because of an Oxycontin overdose in 2005, gave an emotional speech about how marijuana affects teens. Aaron Rubin, who can only respond with one finger for yes, two fingers for no, held up one finger when his mother asked if he crashed his car after smoking the drug. Sherrie Rubin said her son was adamant about coming to the Poway meeting.
Rebecca Hernandez, executive director of Safety Wellness Advocacy Coalition, an anti-drug proponent, said the list of counties banning dispensaries in California is growing.
Meanwhile, emergency room nurse Leslie Vanslager said she typically sees more damaging results from alcoholics than patients who use marijuana.
"I don't see marijuana-induced rages," Vanslager said. "I personally don't use it, but I do see how it helps some patients with anxiety."
Marlene Peat, whose husband, Donald L. Peat, is suffering from cancer, said the only thing that helps her husband have some quality of life is medical marijuana. The Poway woman said a health provider delivers medical marijuana in drop form, which provides some relief, allowing her husband to get some rest and eat.
"Both his oncologist and primary doctor are very happy with the results," she said. "I really think there's a need for it."
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: pomeradonews.com
Author: Pat Kumpan
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: MainStreet Media, LLC
Website: Poway City Council extends medical marijuana dispensary moratorium
The extension, which is for 10 months and 15 days, will allow the city to continue its research about land-use zones and allowing such a business to operate within city limits. A 45-day urgency ordinance was approved July 6, also with a unanimous vote by council members.
During Friday's special meeting, city attorney Morgan Foley said he would rather extend the ordinance for the full limit "just to be safe," although he was not certain the city needs almost a year to make its decision.
The moratorium comes on the heels of a Los Angeles man being denied a business certificate to operate a marijuana collective in Poway. He applied in April, but the city denied him a business certificate.
Councilman Jim Cunningham said his concerns are that medical marijuana is ending up, namely in the hands of college kids, and those who do not need it for medicinal reasons. He did agree that medical marijuana has a place in society for the terminally ill, but the overall regulations are akin to "a ship without a captain." He does not see the need for a dispensary in Poway, when there is a functioning one four miles away in Rancho Bernardo.
During Friday's meeting, residents who favor a dispensary, and those who opposed it, expressed their opinions.
Resident Peter Neild gave a light scolding to the council about not having such an ordinance in place when the law allowing medical marijuana was passed in 1996. Neild said he could see the use of medical marijuana being helpful to the armed forces when the military returns from war zones.
"But there has to be some control," he added.
Sherrie Rubin and her son, Aaron, now a paraplegic because of an Oxycontin overdose in 2005, gave an emotional speech about how marijuana affects teens. Aaron Rubin, who can only respond with one finger for yes, two fingers for no, held up one finger when his mother asked if he crashed his car after smoking the drug. Sherrie Rubin said her son was adamant about coming to the Poway meeting.
Rebecca Hernandez, executive director of Safety Wellness Advocacy Coalition, an anti-drug proponent, said the list of counties banning dispensaries in California is growing.
Meanwhile, emergency room nurse Leslie Vanslager said she typically sees more damaging results from alcoholics than patients who use marijuana.
"I don't see marijuana-induced rages," Vanslager said. "I personally don't use it, but I do see how it helps some patients with anxiety."
Marlene Peat, whose husband, Donald L. Peat, is suffering from cancer, said the only thing that helps her husband have some quality of life is medical marijuana. The Poway woman said a health provider delivers medical marijuana in drop form, which provides some relief, allowing her husband to get some rest and eat.
"Both his oncologist and primary doctor are very happy with the results," she said. "I really think there's a need for it."
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: pomeradonews.com
Author: Pat Kumpan
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: MainStreet Media, LLC
Website: Poway City Council extends medical marijuana dispensary moratorium
