Pubdate: Fri, 17 Feb 2012
Source: North Kitsap Herald (WA)
Copyright: 2012 North Kitsap Herald
Contact:  http://www.northkitsapherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2609
Author: Megan Stephenson

MORATORIUM ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA GARDENS EXTENDED

POULSBO - Poulsbo City Council members say they are stuck between a 
rock and a hard place.

The council discussed the current moratorium on allowing collective 
gardens for growing medical cannabis Wednesday night. The moratorium 
was set in September to buy the council time to interpret the law and 
decide if collective gardens fit into the city's zoning code.

Planning Director Barry Berezowsky said allowing collective gardens 
is not a zoning issue.

"If someone is manufacturing meth that's not my issue - it's a police 
issue," Berezowsky said. "The question is whether the facility 
established meets the requirements of the zoning code and the 
building code." Agricultural zones are currently in place.

The issue for the council became a legal quandary.

Because Washington state allows patients to grow and use medical 
cannabis, but doesn't allow a legal option to obtain the drug 
(dispensaries), local jurisdictions are left to decide how to 
interpret a confusing law - in addition to all cannabis being illegal 
under federal law.

"We're either breaking state law or federal law no matter what [we] 
do," Councilman David Musgrove said.

The council voted to extend the moratorium on collective gardens 
another six months.

"This is best for our citizens, not a means of avoidance or ulterior 
motives," Musgrove said after the vote.

Audience members spoke only in favor of collective gardens during the 
public hearing. Ezra Eickmeyer, a lobbyist with Washington 
Alternative Medicine Alliance, agreed it is important for cities to 
find the best process "before operations show up." However, he and 
local activist Troy Barber said that without legal options, patients 
will turn to the black market.

"People are using it and if its working for them, they're going to 
continue to use it either way," resident Mike Holm said. "It makes a 
lot more sense to keep it regulated."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom