Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jul 2001
Source: Santa Barbara News-Press (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Santa Barbara News-Press
Contact:  http://www.newspress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/393
Author: Thomas Schultz

POT PUT BACK IN SPOTLIGHT

The Santa Barbara City Council should lobby state and federal officials to 
clarify rules governing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes but 
refrain from creating its own local guidelines, the city's Ordinance 
Committee recommended Tuesday.

The council is expected to consider the suggestion within a month. If the 
council concurs, the decision could effectively squash efforts by local 
citizens to establish guidelines on medicinal marijuana use, cultivation, 
arrests or seizures within city limits. A local cannabis club, which 
distributed medicinal marijuana in Santa Barbara, was disbanded earlier 
this year, but activists are trying to resurrect the club.

Medicinal marijuana supporters led by mayoral candidate and Westside 
activist Bruce Rittenhouse came to City Hall a year ago urging an ordinance 
to implement Prop. 215. The 1996 statewide initiative earned supported from 
70 percent of city voters. It legalized marijuana for treatment of cancer, 
AIDS and other debilitating diseases and their side effects with a doctor's 
recommendation.

But in the past five years, officials in jurisdictions across California 
have waded through a murk of confusion on what the proposition, which 
conflicts with federal rules that ban pot use, actually guarantees.

The Ordinance Committee -- comprised of City Council members Gil Garcia, 
Marty Blum and Gregg Hart, who was absent Tuesday -- has debated the issue 
at four public hearings and approached county law enforcement officials for 
cooperation in recent months. The county Sheriff's Department and District 
Attorney's Office would not support a proposed memorandum of understanding 
on local medicinal marijuana protocol, however.

"No general consensus was reached in those discussions," according to a 
city report.

Mr. Garcia, also a candidate for mayor, voted for the recommendation 
Tuesday, expressing concern that city guidelines enacted without regional 
cooperation might give ill patients who use marijuana locally a false sense 
of security.

"I think it would," Mr. Garcia said, adding that "I have urged our Police 
Department that we have to be somewhat lenient."

Assistant City Attorney Bob Pike on Tuesday told Mr. Garcia and Ms. Blum, 
also a candidate for mayor, that the city should instead urge passage of a 
proposed state law, SB-187, which would set up statewide protocols.

"If this were to go through, it seems like it would be very helpful," said 
Ms. Blum, who also voted for the recommendation.

Those pushing for city rules said patients who use or grow marijuana 
already do live with security concerns, mainly fear of arrest. "I recognize 
that this ought to be taken care of by the state government," said Dr. 
David Bearman, a local physician who has prescribed the controlled 
substance. "They have not stepped up to the plate."

Still, "No one is asking you to try to make everything right for the whole 
county," Dr. Bearman told the Ordinance Committee. "A journey of a thousand 
miles starts with a single step."

"If our (city police) officers don't cite people in the city of Santa 
Barbara, the district attorney doesn't get involved," Mr. Rittenhouse said. 
"We're back where we were on Day 1. It's shameful."

In other City Hall action, the council voted to spend public money on 
several fronts, including:

*A $1.2 million contract with Lash Construction, Inc., for water main 
replacement at several sites across the city, including portions of Mission 
Ridge Road, Mountain Drive, Carrillo Street and Calle Alamo. The contract 
"includes all labor, material and equipment to install 12,500 linear feet 
of water main, water valves" and other hardware, according to a city report.

*A $102,000 contract with Lash to build intersection improvements at Laguna 
and Mission streets.

"For many years, Roosevelt School officials and parents observed many stop 
sign violations at the intersection," according to a city report. "The 
violations were likely caused by Mission Street being oriented with Laguna 
Street at less than a right angle. This made it easier for southbound 
vehicles to roll through. A plan was developed that 'bubbled out' the 
northeast corner so the two streets would intersect at more of a right angle."

*In addition, the council authorized $509,000 contract with Lash for sewer 
improvements along Las Positas Road.

*An agreement with Decision Management Company, Inc., for the acquisition 
and installation of a document imaging and management system for the the 
City Clerk's office -- an expenditure not to exceed $57,052.

The system will permit the clerk's office to efficiently index, digitally 
archive and electronically share documents.

*A $411,000 agreement with the Downtown Organization for sidewalk cleaning, 
landscaping and surface maintenance of the 00-1200 blocks of State Street 
and several cross streets -- effective July 1 through June 30. The 
organization will wash sidewalks at least once a month, clean and painting 
kiosks, planters, fountains and telephone booths.

In addition, the organization will pick up trash, remove graffiti and 
replace certain plants.
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MAP posted-by: Beth