Pubdate: Tue, 15 Sep 2015
Source: Porterville Recorder (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Freedom Communications Inc.
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/AJm5UIc8
Website: http://www.recorderonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2887

CITY NEEDS TO HOLD OFF ON MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

With the state Legislature passing three bills dealing with the 
regulating of medical marijuana and voters likely facing a ballot 
measure next year to legalize marijuana, it would be best for the 
City of Porterville to place on the back burner any consideration of 
medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.

It is not so much that we are for or against the dispensaries, but 
right now the entire issue of marijuana is in a state of flux and it 
would be unwise for the city to spend staff time, and probably an 
attorney's time, coming up with regulations that may be outdated or 
out of compliance by the time they are crafted.

In its typical rush to pass legislation that usually ends up poorly 
written, the state Legislature move forward Friday with a package of 
bills to create the first state-wide licensing and operating rules 
for pot growers and retail weed outlets since the state became the 
first to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Those rules would 
supersede anything the city council comes up with.

And, should voters legalize marijuana, then everything would be for 
naught as anyone could light one up if they have it anytime, possibly anywhere.

Marijuana is a difficult matter and something that cannot be easily 
regulated. It is called "weed" because it is a weed and almost anyone 
can grow marijuana. Trying to regulate marijuana would be more 
difficult than corralling cats. It really can't be done no matter 
what politicians tell you.

It would be best for the city to postpone any talks of setting up 
dispensaries or making any changes to its current policy that allows 
people to grow up to 20 plants, until the air is cleared of what the 
Legislature is doing and what voters might do next year.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom