Pubdate: Thu, 07 Aug 2014
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Bradley Zint
Page: AA3

COSTA MESA COUNCIL REJECTS POT LAW

Proposal on Marijuana Dispensaries Fails to Gain Enough Votes for the 
Nov. 4 Ballot.

It was called an excellent law, possibly one of the best in California.

But such sentiment didn't sway the Costa Mesa City Council enough to 
put a medical marijuana proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot.

After 2 1/2 hours of discussion and debate Tuesday evening, the 
proposal failed to find enough support among council members.

The pot law, drafted by the city's attorney, would not have 
restricted the number of dispensaries but would have required 24-hour 
security and prohibited on-site marijuana recommendations from doctors.

In following state and federal laws, the initiative would have 
restricted dispensaries' locations and kept them at least 1,000 feet 
from one another as well as from schools and youth centers.

"There are a lot of people in this community that have a need for 
medical marijuana," said Councilman Gary Monahan, who pushed the pot 
law. "And this will provide them a safe way to acquire that."

Although it was strongly supported by those in the audience, 
Monahan's colleagues were not won over.

Councilwoman Wendy Leece said the proposal felt hurried - it was made 
public late last week.

Monahan said there was a need to move quickly because two other 
marijuana initiatives were being circulated in the city.

One of those initiatives, led by Orange County attorney Randall 
Longwith, could initiate a special election, possibly early next year.

Longwith told the council that he would drop his idea if the council 
decided to put Monahan's "unbelievably well-written" proposal on the ballot.

"I'm disappointed, very disappointed," Longwith said after the 
council rejected the proposal. "I thought they had the opportunity to 
do the right thing today."

Former Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Stephen Downing 
said prohibition-like policies have done as much harm as "the drugs 
we failed to control."

Costa Mesa's proposal, he contended, is flexible and would provide a 
suitable framework for the city.

"This is the best ordinance I have read," Downing said. "And I have read many."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom