Pubdate: Thu, 17 Mar 2016
Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA)
Copyright: 2016 Appeal-Democrat
Contact: 
https://appeal-democrat-dot-com.bloxcms-ny1.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/
Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343
Author: Eric Vodden

MARYSVILLE LOOKS TO NAIL DOWN DETAILS FOR NOW-OK DISPENSARIES

While medical marijuana dispensaries are now technically allowed in 
Marysville, the City Council seems in no hurry to actually start 
taking applications.

"What we have to do is get this right," Mayor Ricky Samayoa said as 
the council hired a southern California company to help with setting 
up the process. "We need this expertise. If we don't get it right, 
there are consequences."

The council on Tuesday voted unanimously to hire HdL Companies of 
Diamond Bar to assist in developing a fee schedule for dispensary 
applicants and a potential marijuana tax for voters. The $10,000 of 
work under an already existing agreement with the firm would be paid 
for through nonrefundable license application fees.

City Manager Walter Munchheimer said the timetable of accepting 
applications will be driven by whether the council decides to move 
forward with an election to impose a marijuana tax on dispensaries. 
Application fees can't be accepted, he said, if a tax election fails 
and the council decides to rescind the ordinance because of an 
inability to tax the dispensaries. "All of the financial pieces 
depend on whether the council wants to go to the voters," Munchheimer said.

The city is looking into whether it would be feasible to conduct a 
mail-ballot election under Proposition 218, a 1996 statewide measure 
allowing voters to decide tax proposals. Otherwise, it would be held 
in connection with the November general election.

Dispensary applications are not being accepted at least until HdL 
completes a report containing recommendations on setting up the 
process. That is expected to go to the City Council in mid-July.

Marysville resident Karen Liggett, who spoke against dispensaries in 
the city when the council in January approved allowing two in the 
city, continued her opposition Tuesday night. She said people she 
knows are leaving the city because of the decision.

"Marysville is being a drug dealer," she said, referring to the 
council. "You are bringing in the criminal element now, and I hope 
you are proud of yourselves."

However, city resident Kelly Richcreek said the use of medical 
marijuana "is helping a lot of people."

"It is not bringing in a criminal element, and I applaud you for 
trying to help the city bring more income," she said.

The council's action to allow two dispensaries in the city was one of 
two marijuana-related ordinances adopted on a split vote, the other 
banning cultivation except in connection with dispensaries. The 
dispensary ordinance went into effect late last month.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom