Pubdate: Sun, 24 Apr 2016
Source: Orange County Register, The (CA)
Copyright: 2016 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321
Author: Joanna Clay

COSTA MESA SEEKS TO ADD POT MEASURE TO BALLOT

Costa Mesa is moving forward with a framework that would permit 
medical marijuana dispensaries in the city on its own terms.

In a 5-0 vote Tuesday night, the City Council decided to come up with 
a ballot measure that allows manufacturing and includes location 
restrictions (above South Coast Plaza and west of Harbor Boulevard) 
and a tax component.

The measure would also enable the council to add regulations at a 
later date, depending on what the state is doing.

Dispensaries have never been permitted in the city, but a number of 
them cropped up until federal agents shut many down in 2012. But two 
community-backed initiatives that would allow the dispensaries are 
headed to the November ballot, prompting the city to produce an 
initiative to get more control over the enterprise.

The two community initiatives limit the number of shops, one to four 
and the other to eight. The city doesn't propose a number restriction.

"Chances are a medical marijuana initiative is going to pass based on 
people who I know who have done polling," Councilman Jim Righeimer 
said Wednesday. "The city can't just sit back and let it happen. We 
need to have an initiative in place that has some control."

Last year, the state Legislature passed three bills that would 
regulate dispensaries, giving different agencies within the state the 
ability to track licensing, oversee growing and track how edibles are 
made and sold, among other things. The bills should be in effect next year.

Former Councilwoman Wendy Leece said during public comments she 
thought the city should make a limit to one dispensary.

"Just the demand in Costa Mesa, as far as people who need medical 
marijuana, I don't think we need more than one," Leece said.

Councilman Gary Monahan later said it's important to have competition 
instead of a select few getting all the business.

Costa Mesa resident Harold Weitzberg spoke in support of the city 
initiative, but said he didn't like relegating the dispensaries to 
one part of the city. Weitzberg's wife had a dispensary in Costa Mesa 
that was closed after a notice from federal agents.

"I do not like the idea of just banning everything to the north side 
of the 405," he said. "I do agree we don't need to have storefronts 
blaring it."

The council has to have the initiative approved for the Nov. 8 ballot 
by Aug. 12.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom