Pubdate: Fri, 22 Apr 2016
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2016 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.utsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Author: Edward Sifuentes

POT GROUP HOPES TO GET INITIATIVE ON NOV. BALLOT

OCEANSIDE - A group that represents several medical marijuana 
dispensaries in San Diego is trying to overturn Oceanside's 
longstanding ban on such shops by putting an initiative on the city's 
November ballot.

Chris Siegel, president of the Association of Cannabis Professionals, 
said the organization plans to gather signatures on a petition to 
qualify a measure for the ballot, after hearing from patients and 
others who want dispensaries in their city.

"Oceanside is important because it is one of the largest, most 
centrally located cities in North County," said Siegel. "It has a 
large and active patient base that has been vocal about its desire 
for access. We want these patients, their supporters and the general 
public to have a chance to have a voice on this important policy."

The city has twice weighed whether to allow dispensaries, and in 
January upheld its ban after hearing from police officials and 
community advocates who say the stores can be a magnet for crime and 
illegal drug use.

Not unsympathetic to patients, however, the Oceanside City Council 
agreed on a split vote to allow some medical marijuana deliveries by 
companies that are associated with dispensaries legally operating 
elsewhere and meet certain other conditions.

Craig Balben, president of the North Coastal Prevention Coalition - a 
nonprofit that promotes awareness and education on the dangers of 
drug and alcohol abuse - said his group will work to counter the petition.

He said the petition is an attempt to circumvent the City Council and 
that it will fail.

"They've failed in the legislative and political process and now they 
are trying to hoodwink the voters," Balben said. "I'm positive that 
the voters in Oceanside will see through this and will see it for 
what it really is."

Siegel said the proposal would be modeled on the medical marijuana 
ordinance in San Diego, which requires conditional use permits 
approved by the City Council before opening a dispensary.

It also prohibits shops near "sensitive areas," such as schools, 
churches and playgrounds.

The organization will have to gather about 7,700 signatures, or 
roughly 10 percent of the city's 76,755 registered voters.

City Attorney John Mullen said his office is preparing the official 
ballot title and summary, which will be provided to the association by Tuesday.

Once the petition is ready for circulation, the group will have 180 
days to collect the necessary signatures, Mullen said.

If the association gathers the necessary signatures, the City Council 
has three options: Adopt the measure as presented, order the measure 
submitted to the voters at the next municipal election or order a 
report prepared within 30 days on the impacts of the measure and then 
adopt it or submit it to the voters, Mullen said.

To put the measure on the November ballot, the issue would likely 
have to go before the council no later than its Aug. 10 meeting, Mullen said.

Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a package of bills - collectively 
referred to as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act - that 
establishes a licensing system for medical marijuana cultivation, 
delivery and dispensing activities throughout the state. Many cities, 
including Oceanside, enacted their own laws ahead of the state rules.

Oceanside has also repeatedly cracked down on stores that have opened 
illegally at different spots around town.

Medical marijuana supporters have urged the city to drop its ban and 
have said the restrictions on delivery services are too onerous and 
unnecessary.

Because delivery services have to be associated with a legally 
permitted dispensary, the closest businesses that qualify are in San Diego.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom