Pubdate: Sun, 13 Dec 2015
Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA)
Copyright: 2015 Appeal-Democrat
Contact: 
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/sections/services/forms/editorletter.php
Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343
Author: Eric Vodden

CANNABIS DISPENSARY INITIATIVE LIKELY; PETITION HAS ENOUGH SIGNATURES

A second marijuana-related special election will likely be conducted 
in Yuba County in June following certification of petitions seeking 
to allow cannabis dispensaries in the county.

County election officials determined last week enough signatures on 
the dispensary initiative petitions are of registered voters to force 
an election. The announcement comes a week after County Clerk Terry 
Hansen certified separate petitions calling for a less restrictive 
ordinance for growing marijuana in the county.

Of 3,612 dispensary initiative signatures submitted, 2,525 were 
determined to be valid. Initiative supporters needed 2,483, 
representing 20 percent of the number of county voters who cast 
ballots in the last governor's election.

As with the cultivation initiative, the initiative to allow 
dispensaries is expected to go before the Board of Supervisors on 
Jan. 12. Supervisors can either enact the initiative outright, hold a 
special election or order a 30-day financial report be compiled 
before taking action.

If a special election is called, the likelihood is it would be 
consolidated with the June 7 primary. The state election code allows 
that any special election falling within 180 days of a 
regularly-scheduled election can be consolidated rather than holding 
it on a separate date.

Mickey Martin of Safe Patient Access to Regulated Cannabis approached 
Yuba County supervisors in June about developing a new ordinance that 
would allow dispensaries in the county. Currently, there are no 
land-use provisions under which an application can be submitted to 
locate a cannabis dispensary in the county.

The board took no action following the presentation.

Martin, a Martinez resident identified as a medical marijuana 
activist, was joined by three Linda residents described as cannabis 
patients in signing off as initiative proponents. They are Terry 
Comer, Lara Seabug and Thomas Anders.

The initial intent, Martin said, was to gather signatures early 
enough to hold a special election separate from the June primary. But 
he said Friday that holding it in June is preferable to a November 
election when statewide marijuana-related measures will be on the ballot.

"We are OK with it going to June," Martin said. "We think we can make 
our case without confusing our message with the (cultivation initiative)."

Martin said supporters are planning a "public education" campaign 
that will include community meetings.

The 13-page initiative sets up procedures and regulations for 
allowing medical marijuana dispensaries. It would "create a mandatory 
licensing administrative process for a limited number of medical 
cannabis dispensaries."

It specifies there would be no more than one licensed dispensary in 
any one supervisor district. Membership would be limited to qualified 
patients and primary caregivers, the proposed ordinance states.

It also says that if Yuba County imposes a local sales tax on 
cannabis retail activities that it be no more than 4 percent. It 
specifies no excise tax be imposed on cannabis sales.

Dispensaries would also be prohibited within 1,000 feet of schools or 
parks containing playgrounds or at any address not in a commercial zone.

[sidebar]

City Council to Hear Readings on Two Pot Ordinances at Tuesday Meeting

Marysville City Council members will consider on Tuesday night the 
initial readings of two ordinances related to marijuana cultivation 
and dispensaries.

The city's proposed cultivation ordinance mirrors that of Live Oak, 
which bans marijuana growing within the city limits. That ordinance, 
which was upheld by the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento in 
2013, is used as legal precedent for other city and county bans.

The council will also consider a second ordinance that loosens an 
existing city ordinance regulating medical marijuana dispensaries in 
the city. City officials said that ordinance will focus on allowing 
dispensaries within the Medical Arts District of the city's Bounce 
Back plan for economic development, though the proposal doesn't 
necessarily limit dispensaries to that location.

Marysville has an ordinance that allows marijuana dispensaries when 
they are specific distances from residences, schools, playgrounds and 
other public facilities. But officials admit where dispensaries can 
be located is very limited.

The city has received no formal proposals for installation of any 
dispensaries within the city limits.

A full staff report on the proposed ordinances was not available as 
of 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The council meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the council chambers, City 
Hall, 526 C St.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom