Pubdate: Wed, 23 Dec 2015
Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
Copyright: 2015 The Press Democrat
Contact:  http://www.pressdemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348
Author: Eloisa Ruano Gonzalez

SONOMA CITY COUNCIL STRENGTHENS REGULATIONS ON POT CULTIVATION, DISPENSARIES

With a looming state deadline to enact local regulations on 
marijuana, Sonoma city officials strengthened their ban on pot 
dispensaries, delivery services and cultivation.

Council members Monday night unanimously approved a resolution that 
asserts the city's existing prohibition on marijuana, this time 
specifically spelling it out in its regulations. The decision comes 
at the heels of the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, 
which Gov. Jerry Brown signed in October.

The law calls for state licensing of pot growers, manufacturers and 
dispensaries. However, it also gives cities and counties control over 
marijuana cultivation permits, as long as they impose local 
regulations by the March 1 cutoff.

"It's clarifying what is already in the books," City Manager Carol 
Giovanatto said about the resolution council members approved Monday. 
"It's not changing anything."

Growing, delivering and dispensing cannabis always has been 
prohibited in town, she said. Sonoma doesn't have a single 
dispensary, Giovanatto added.

While growing and selling medical marijuana are not listed as 
"banned," she said the city has always considered any activity 
prohibited if it is not mentioned in the development code as a permitted use.

The League of California Cities urged municipalities like Sonoma with 
"permissive zoning regulations" to clearly state whether or not the 
city allows dispensaries and the growth of marijuana for personal and 
commercial use ahead of the state deadline, Giovanatto said. That 
ensures the municipalities maintain local control on marijuana cultivation.

"All we're doing is protecting our local authority from the state," 
Councilman David Cook said in a phone interview on Tuesday. "The laws 
are changing. I just want the city of Sonoma to have a voice in 
what's going on within its borders."

While he and the rest of the council members voted to strengthen the 
regulations, they weren't ready to shut the door on the issue. They 
promised to bring back for future discussion marijuana delivery and 
dispensaries, which previous council members attempted to allow six 
years ago but failed after they couldn't garner enough votes.

Last year, 18 dispensaries in Sonoma County sold nearly $31 million 
in marijuana-related products and paid $2.6 million in taxes, 
according to the state Board of Equalization, which collects retail sales data.

"This is a cottage industry for a lot of people," Mayor Laurie 
Gallian said during Monday's meeting. "I'm open to this conversation."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom