Friday, January 30, 2015

New Medical Marijuana Ordinance Announced

GRAHAM SCOOPS THE STORY
Orange County Register reporter Jordan Graham provided us with a story tonight, HERE, announcing that the City of Costa Mesa has completed the first draft of a new Medical Marijuana ordinance that will likely be considered by the City Council for approval in April.  I don't think the article is hidden behind the Register pay wall.

IN CASE YOU CAN'T READ IT...
If it is, here's a brief summary of what Graham tells us:
  • Several meetings will be held over the next two month to gauge support and get feedback
  • Those will include a Study Session, conversations with NMUSD officials, medical marijuana supporters and public forums for community members.
  • The ordinance could receive a first reading in April.
  • This ordinance is a buffed-up version of councilman Gary Monahan's original document from last year.
  • It will not restrict the total number of dispensaries.
  • It will limit them to one of three industrial zones.
  • 24 hour security would be required.
  • Minimum age of 21 years for customers.
  • No deliveries for the first two years.
  • Minimum 1,000 feet from schools, parks, libraries and residential zones.
  • Katrina Foley's 10% tax may be part of the ordinance.

PROPONENTS GETTING IMPATIENT
Graham reminds us that proponents of the two initiatives that received enough signatures to be place before the voters are getting impatient and may sue the city to force the issue.  Read his article for all the information.

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5 Comments:

Anonymous Where's My Coffee? said...

with 26% of the rehab homes here in Costa Mesa, it seems a bit disingenuous to now toss dispensaries right in front of these people who are trying to recover. I'm voting NO on all the initiatives.

1/31/2015 02:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Westside4ever said...

I’m not sure whether this is a good thing or not. Costa Mesa’s been called Rehab Rivera, a recovery community in prestigious Costa Mesa and Rehab Central. Guess it’s only fitting to have Drugs R Us stores join the fun. Add a few more parks to house the transient population, bars, hookah lounges, and pawn shops to bolster the city image and we should be just fine.

2/01/2015 05:01:00 AM  
Anonymous Heart for Costa Mesa said...

The brand is strong! Can't you smell it?

2/01/2015 09:48:00 PM  
Anonymous Teresa Drain said...

This one will take a lot of thought. If the STATE goes for all legal MJ (it IS California) that could make a lot of our local "rules" moot. More wasted (pun unintended) legal bills. When Washington State voted for legality, it posed some unique problems for businesses (separate tobacco & MJ smoking areas? Medical time off for doctor appointments?) and it seems like having smart ordinances in place PRIOR to the election could have prevented those problems.

I wonder if taxing "medicine" sales is legal (California definition) versus a HIGH BUSINESS LICENSE (pun intended) for sales. You don't go to a special store for aspirin, and yet, alcohol and TOBACCO (nicotine is a drug) is sold at supermarkets and gas stations.

"Getting in front" of this pending election might be prudent. Even a blind squirrel gets the occasional nut.

2/02/2015 11:53:00 AM  
Anonymous teresa drain said...

Also, how many are in rehab for marijuana addiction versus narcotics, alcohol, oxy, PCP, heroin, meth...?

2/02/2015 11:56:00 AM  

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