Pubdate: Mon, 02 Aug 2010
Source: Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)
Copyright: 2010 Times-Standard
Contact: http://www.times-standard.com/writeus
Website: http://www.times-standard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1051
Author: Allison White

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORDINANCE UP FOR APPROVAL TUESDAY IN EUREKA

Eureka's medical marijuana ordinance will be back before the Eureka 
City Council on Tuesday for possible approval after months of 
debates, town hall meetings and a moratorium.

The ordinance is modeled loosely after Arcata's and will also handle 
the issue with a land-use approach if passed. The council introduced 
the ordinance at its July 20 meeting and made a few changes. Those 
included striking the requirement for dispensaries to distribute only 
to patients with medical marijuana identification cards and delaying 
until 2011 the requirement to test the medical cannabis for potency 
and chemicals.

According to a city staff report, the ordinance will require 
additional time from Community Development Department staff, and 
resources to implement and enforce the new ordinance. City staff will 
also be sending out requests inviting collectives or cooperatives 
interested in applying for the permits to process, cultivate or open 
a distribution facility in Eureka if it is passed.

In the ordinance, provisions for personal use would allow qualified 
patients to grow marijuana only in in spaces of up to 50 square feet 
and only in their personal residences. While the ordinance specifies 
that medical marijuana can be grown only in the residence of the 
qualified patient, it does allow caretakers to come into qualified 
patients' residences to grow it.

The ordinance also requires that special wiring for medical marijuana 
grows receive a permit from the city's building department and that 
lighting shall not exceed 1,200 watts. Using gas products is 
prohibited, and there must be no external evidence of marijuana cultivation.

If the city receives information that a residence is out of 
compliance, it would contact the property owner through a certified 
letter to request they schedule an inspection. If the owner has not 
responded after seven days, fines of $50 per day will apply and the 
city will begin the process of seeking an inspection warrant.

In other matters, the council will also discuss the draft 
environmental impact report for the Ridgewood Village Development 
Project, which is near the intersection of Ridgewood Drive and Eggert 
Road. As proposed, the project would contain about 1,400 residential 
housing units, about 327,000 acres of commercial space and some open 
space. City staff have recommended the city submit comments on the 
EIR before the Aug. 30 closing of the comment period, citing "issues 
and concerns," including adverse impacts to city public safety 
resources and personnel and to other city services and resources.

The council will also consider an exclusive right to negotiate 
agreement with Humboldt Waste Management Authority, and a text 
amendment to streamline architectural review on historically 
designated properties, among other items.

The council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 531 K St., Eureka.

If you go

What: Eureka City Council meeting

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday

Where: 531 K St., Eureka
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart