Pubdate: Thu, 10 Dec 2015
Source: Merced Sun-Star (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Merced Sun-Star
Contact: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/284
Website: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2546
Author: Thaddeus Miller

MERCED MEDICAL POT USERS, ADVOCATES GAIN A WIN

The City's Planning Commission Was Looking a Heavily Restrictive Ordinance

The Commission Recommended Loosening the Contraints

Medical cannabis users, growers and sellers won a small battle 
Wednesday in Merced, when the Planning Commission recommended 
loosening the constraints of an ordinance that would ban marijuana 
entirely from within the city limits.

The first statewide licensing and operating rules for pot growers, 
manufacturers of cannabis-infused products and retail weed stores 
would give commercial operations the ability to sell in the state 
unless city ordinances specifically prohibit it. The law was signed 
by Gov. Jerry Brown in October.

City's have until March 1 to adopt their own regulations - if they 
want to - before the state imposes its regulations. An ordinance 
before the commission on Wednesday would have prohibited cannabis 
sale, delivery and cultivation anywhere within city limits.

"I think this ordinance is uncalled for," Commissioner Peter Padilla 
said. "Let's get into the 21st century and move forward."

Padilla said he believes cannabis is here to stay and will continue 
to circulate within the city even if under the stricter ordinance. 
So, he said, the city should make the effort to allow it but regulate it.

During the public hearing for the ordinance, all 19 speakers argued 
against the stricter constraints. The commission voted unanimously to 
have staff draw up an ordinance that would allow dispensaries and 
delivery businesses to set up in designated areas, and would allow 
residents with marijuana cards to grow up to 12 plants per parcel, 
aligning the city with Merced County's ordinance for unincorporated properties.

The commission meeting was sometimes contentious, with the audience 
shouting out at the dais.

Christine Meeusen, 55, of Merced, also known as "Sister Kate," spoke 
of her growing business in Merced that could add to tax dollars in a 
struggling city. Sisters of the Valley, her Merced-area medical 
marijuana growing co-operative, specializes in cannabis for cancer 
patients that does not include THC, the part of the plant that causes 
users to feel "stoned."

"We want to grow this business," she said. "We want Merced to be our home."

She said she doesn't necessarily need a permit from the city, but 
wants to be able to sell here and benefit Merced with tax dollars.

The Merced City Council is set to have the final decision on the 
ordinance on Jan. 4.

This story will be updated.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom