After several marathon meetings, much hand-wringing and numerous flip-flops, the Richmond City Council voted early Wednesday to allow three marijuana dispensaries in the city and place a 5 percent marijuana tax on the November ballot.
The decision reversed last week's vote, which would have allowed an unlimited number of dispensaries in commercial districts.
"Richmond's been flirting with this issue for a long time," said City Councilman Tom Butt. "But my feeling is, if you're going to allow these dispensaries, you might as well get all the money you can out of it."
The marijuana ordinance is due for a second vote in September, after the council returns from its summer recess, and would go into effect 30 days after that.
The new ordinance would allow three nonprofit dispensaries in the city - in commercial districts only, outfitted with surveillance cameras and subject to oversight by the Police Department. The dispensaries would not be allowed near schools, community centers, parks and other places frequented by children.
"This will guarantee access for medical marijuana users and safety for the surrounding neighborhoods," said Councilman Jim Rogers. "My main concern is that these places do not become a magnet for criminal activity."
Richmond is already home to eight dispensaries, which are operating illegally, said City Attorney Randy Riddle. His office is cracking down on them through injunctions and other measures, he said.
"This will move us from having eight illegal dispensaries to three legal ones," said Butt, who generally has been opposed to legalizing medical marijuana sales in Richmond. "But if we decide we need more, we can always add more."
Richmond becomes the fifth major city in the Bay Area to legalize marijuana dispensaries, following San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Berkeley.
With its regulation of small-scale marijuana retailers, Richmond's model is typical of those across California, said Allen St. Pierre, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
Elsewhere, the issue is in the realm of state legislatures, which generally are enacting much more conservative, strict regulations, he said.
Oakland's City Council recently passed some of the most ambitious marijuana legislation in the country, regulating growers in addition to dispensaries.
Money is the main reason so many cities, counties and states are suddenly adopting cannabis regulations and taxes, he said.
"The debate used to be about providing marijuana to those who need it for medical purposes," he said. "Now, in these crushing economic times, the narrative has changed."
Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond and San Jose are placing marijuana taxes on the November ballot.
"I've always thought we have enough problems with crime, and the Police Department is busy enough," Butt said. "But maybe we can make some money out of this. That's the motivation."
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Author: Carolyn Jones
Contact: San Francisco Chronicle
Copyright: 2010 Hearst Communications Inc.
Website: Richmond OKs 3 pot clubs, puts 5% tax on ballot
The decision reversed last week's vote, which would have allowed an unlimited number of dispensaries in commercial districts.
"Richmond's been flirting with this issue for a long time," said City Councilman Tom Butt. "But my feeling is, if you're going to allow these dispensaries, you might as well get all the money you can out of it."
The marijuana ordinance is due for a second vote in September, after the council returns from its summer recess, and would go into effect 30 days after that.
The new ordinance would allow three nonprofit dispensaries in the city - in commercial districts only, outfitted with surveillance cameras and subject to oversight by the Police Department. The dispensaries would not be allowed near schools, community centers, parks and other places frequented by children.
"This will guarantee access for medical marijuana users and safety for the surrounding neighborhoods," said Councilman Jim Rogers. "My main concern is that these places do not become a magnet for criminal activity."
Richmond is already home to eight dispensaries, which are operating illegally, said City Attorney Randy Riddle. His office is cracking down on them through injunctions and other measures, he said.
"This will move us from having eight illegal dispensaries to three legal ones," said Butt, who generally has been opposed to legalizing medical marijuana sales in Richmond. "But if we decide we need more, we can always add more."
Richmond becomes the fifth major city in the Bay Area to legalize marijuana dispensaries, following San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Berkeley.
With its regulation of small-scale marijuana retailers, Richmond's model is typical of those across California, said Allen St. Pierre, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
Elsewhere, the issue is in the realm of state legislatures, which generally are enacting much more conservative, strict regulations, he said.
Oakland's City Council recently passed some of the most ambitious marijuana legislation in the country, regulating growers in addition to dispensaries.
Money is the main reason so many cities, counties and states are suddenly adopting cannabis regulations and taxes, he said.
"The debate used to be about providing marijuana to those who need it for medical purposes," he said. "Now, in these crushing economic times, the narrative has changed."
Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond and San Jose are placing marijuana taxes on the November ballot.
"I've always thought we have enough problems with crime, and the Police Department is busy enough," Butt said. "But maybe we can make some money out of this. That's the motivation."
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Author: Carolyn Jones
Contact: San Francisco Chronicle
Copyright: 2010 Hearst Communications Inc.
Website: Richmond OKs 3 pot clubs, puts 5% tax on ballot
