Pubdate: Wed, 8 Apr 2009
Source: Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)
Copyright: 2009 Times-Standard
Contact: http://www.times-standard.com/writeus
Website: http://www.times-standard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1051
Author: Donna Tam, The Times-Standard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)

EUREKA PUTS OFF MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORDINANCE

Eureka will not be following in Arcata's medical marijuana footsteps 
anytime soon.

The Eureka City County Tuesday night voted three to one not to look 
into the possibility of creating a medical marijuana dispensary ordinance.

In the absence of Councilman Jones, Mayor Virginia Bass was the 
deciding vote against the measure, saying that the issue needed to be 
discussed at a later time.

Bass's comments about the abuse of medical marijuana and the need to 
address the issue of illegal grow houses echoed those of 
Councilmembers Frank Jager and Jeff Leonard.

"I would say that the first thing we need to work on is these grow 
houses and work on it right away, and put a stop to that before we 
have a discussion about medical marijuana," Jager said.

Councilwoman Linda Atkins, who initiated the discussion about the 
ordinance, said the matter is a compassion issue as well as a fiscal 
issue. She said she just wanted to direct staff to look into the 
possibility of coming up with a responsible form of regulation.

"The only way we're going to stop people from growing marijuana in 
houses illegally is to enforce a code," she said.

Representatives from established medical marijuana cooperatives in 
Arcata came forward to offer their assistance in creating an ordinance.

The council did approve of a motion by Councilman Larry Glass to 
expand the duties of an already existing task force to look at how to 
address the problem of grow houses in residential areas, separate 
from regulating medical marijuana.

The council also unanimously supported the planning commission's 
decision to deny the proposal for a general plan amendment of 
property on Dolbeer Street.

Applicant John Vitale, who had applied to have the zone changed to be 
appropriate for medical services, asked the council to allow him to 
meet with the residents and create mitigation measures, but the 
council felt the concerns of residents in the area were valid.

Nearly a dozen residents spoke out against the zoning change, citing 
traffic concerns. Many questioned the necessity of having additional 
property for medical services while there is presently other property 
already zoned as such that is unused.

The council encouraged Vitale to come up with concrete mitigation 
methods if he chooses to propose the amendment again.

In other matters, the council approved a Safe Route to Schools grant 
application, accepted $1 million in stimulus funding for street 
improvements and approved the designation of a lot on California and 
15th streets as a community garden and orchard while authorizing 
staff to apply for a grant and also communicate with the groups that 
also occupy the lot. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake