A soccer mom was one of more than a dozen advocates of medical marijuana to put a face on the hot-button issue Tuesday night as the Lemon Grove City Council considered a local ballot initiative to allow dispensaries to open in the city.
Following the recommendation of both City Manager Graham Mitchell and City Attorney Jim Lough, the council opted to study the measure and voted 5-0 to order a report on the legal, financial, economic and land use impacts of dispensaries, which operate as commercial cooperatives, on the city.
The report is expected to be presented to the council at its Aug. 7 meeting.
In addition, the council voted unanimously to appoint councilmen Howard Cook and Jerry Jones to a subcommittee that will assist with drafting a competing measure for voter consideration on the November ballot.
Under the election code, the council has three options to act on the proposed initiative— adopt the ordinance as written, put the measure on the November ballot, or order an impact report. Lough introduced the fourth option of developing a competing measure—such as one that might ban medical marijuana dispensaries from the city for a certain period of time.
Council members listened closely as supporters and opponents of the proposed ordinance offered impassioned testimony on the matter.
Silvia Gutierrez, a Rancho Penasquitos mother who was active in youth soccer before an accident left her with life-threatening injuries, told the council prescription pain killers rendered her unable to enjoy time with her son.
Not only has medical marijuana improved her quality of life, it’s also help her lose 50 pounds—and that might give her a chance for surgery that could save her life, she said.
Citizens for Patient Rights spearheaded the petition drive, which collected the 1,206 valid signatures required to put the measure on the ballot for voters. Lemon Grove is among by the organization’s expansion effort in the wake of a massive federal crackdown that closed commercial cooperatives in the county last year.
While California voters approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes in 1996, possession or sale of the drug remains a federal crime. In question is whether the state’s medical marijuana industry is at odds with the federal Controlled Substances Act, which prohibits the sale and distribution of cannabis.
Mayor Mary Sessom was concerned about the financial strain the matter could create for the city.
“I don’t care if a dispensary goes into Lemon Grove or not,” Sessom said. “But I do care if it impacts our general funds.
“There are tons of (dispensary) cases in the California Supreme Court right now and I don’t want to be another test case, because we can’t afford it.”
In an email to the mayor, campaign coordinator Cynara Velazquez estimated Lemon Grove has the potential for no more than 10 dispensaries that would serve a market of about 1,600 patients and caregivers who live in the city. More could come from nearby communities, including an estimated 1,500 patients from Spring Valley, and 3,000 patients from La Mesa—though the group has a petition effort going there, which would allow dispensaries to serve that market if it’s qualified for the ballot and passed by voters.
Opponents of the proposed measure cite concerns about violent crime, the ease of obtaining medical marijuana for recreational use—especially among young people—and the legality of dispensaries.
Dean Scott, an Oceanside resident who does business locally, was among five opponents to address the council.
“I’m angry the pro-pot lobby has moved into Lemon Grove,” Scott said. “It’s clear that this pot shop initiative is a Trojan horse. The legality needs to be challenged in court before Lemon Grove wastes its time and money.”
The measure calls for limiting medical marijuana dispensaries to retail and industrial zones. Other provisions include a 600-foot buffer from schools and playgrounds, a 1,000-foot buffer between dispensaries, and signage limitations. Using medical marijuana at a dispensary is prohibited. Each operation would be required to have a community liaison to work with the city.
The city would also collect a 2.5 percent sales tax, which is expected to generate nearly $100,000 in revenue.
The council focused on the action it needed to take on the proposed measure, but sensitivity to the issue was also raised. Councilman Howard Cook said he knows people who need to use medical marijuana.
“It’s very hard for us to sit up here and decide what’s good for people, and what’s not good for people,” he said. “That’s for voters to decide.”
I was the one who posed the question - why can't pharmacies dispense medical marijuana just like any other prescription drug? It might just solve this silly issue of whether or not to allow dispensaries in the city and save the City time and money.
The dispensaries skirt around the legality of distribution depending which city has even decided to create or establish zoning for from what I understand. Its really the issue that no one wants to deal from what I have read because it costs cities money etc :) What the council decided on was the wisest 'next step.' It gets the mundane technicalities out of the way and actually weighs pros and cons. While these reports are not the end all be all, they should be objective enough for voters to make informed decisions. I agree with the Mayor. I could care less whether or not dispensaries are here but the people signed for it to be on a petition and I dont think its the job of the Council or city to play the role of moral hazard judge if this is what their constituents want by law. Lets see what happens when the reports come out for the voters to decide whether you agree or disagree with who needs weed and why. Defending or pushing the pros and cons of weed is not the real issue here locally. The Dispensary is. My point is, enjoy the summer, wait for the report to come out or this really an issue that hits home, at least get enough subjective data to back up an opinion and go to city council when its time to state a case.
Its pretty entertaining actually :)
If it helps someone's pain, by all means, if it's not Oxycontin, let them have it!! I am saddened that they would vote to put out an opposing measure, but actually, noting their age, not surprised. We are not the most open minded here in Lemon Grove. So let me get this right, it's ok to have strip joints with crack whores and rv brothels within the city limit but draw the line with pot? Please!!! I'm sure they will be all over these dispensaries much more than they track registered sex offenders and where they live. Why are we so up in arms for another tax base, (they aren't allowed to smoke it here-they are not stupid), but allow pedophiles to live within 100 feet of schools, parks and in the same complexes as other sex offenders? Let's worry about that, more than the dispensaries!!
Guess your movement is not as strong as you thought, Los Angeles is a strong second to the progressive thinktank that is your cesspool the bay area. By the way I hope those jobs cleaning the transients feces from the Bart systems stations are good paying ones.