Pubdate: Fri, 13 Nov 2015
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Hannah Fry

NEWPORT BEACH TAKES STEPS TO BLOCK NEW MARIJUANA LAW

The City Council OKs a Draft Ordinance to Ban Even Delivery of Regulated Pot.

Marijuana growing, dispensaries and delivery will be illegal in 
Newport Beach under a new ordinance.

The Newport Beach City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to 
approve the first reading of an ordinance banning the cultivation, 
processing, distribution and delivery of cannabis in the city.

Newport Beach's municipal code previously did not address medical 
marijuana, although dispensaries have not been allowed to operate in 
the city, according to City Manager Dave Kiff. While there are no 
brick-and-mortar pot dispensaries operating in the city, several 
online services say they deliver marijuana to people in Newport Beach.

The ban is in response to the state's Medical Marijuana Regulation 
and Safety Act, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Oct. 9. The 
act, which becomes effective Jan. 1, will create California's first 
statewide licensing and operating rules for pot growers, 
manufacturers of cannabis products and retail outlets since state 
voters legalized medical marijuana nearly 20 years ago.

The act also states that unless cities take immediate action to enact 
rules or bans for medical marijuana in their areas, the state will 
become the sole authority for licensing and regulation, noted Newport 
Beach Mayor Ed Selich.

In 1996, voters approved Proposition 215, which allows seriously ill 
Californians under the care of a doctor to legally possess, use and 
cultivate marijuana for medical use.

In 2003, the state Legislature adopted the Medical Marijuana Program, 
which allowed patients to associate collectively to cultivate 
marijuana for medical purposes.

Several neighboring cities have struggled for years over whether to 
allow medical pot shops.

According to a Newport Beach staff report, several California cities 
have reported offensive odors, illegal sales and distribution, 
trespassing, theft, violent robberies, fire hazards and other 
problems related to the cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana.

In a letter to the City Council, Joseph Stack wrote about the 
benefits medical marijuana had on an ill family member living in another city.

"She has been able to get off a number of medications that had much 
worse side effects," he wrote. He cautioned the council to "keep 
those people in mind when you consider our ordinances."

"I am all in favor of protecting the community from drug abuse, and I 
wouldn't advocate opening up a dispensary on every corner, but I am 
pretty sure there are residents in our city that can't get out of the 
house and have their prescription medications delivered to their 
home," Stack wrote. "It seems like there should be some way for 
legitimate patients who benefit from medical marijuana to obtain and 
use it in our city in a medically responsible way."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom