The Ventura City Council on Monday directed staff to return with detailed information on what the city might do if recreational marijuana is legalized.
Voters will be deciding in November whether to approve Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. The measure would allow those 21 and up to grow up to six plants indoors and enjoy marijuana recreationally, but arguably gives municipalities control on outdoors growing, as well as sales and distribution.
A city can potentially ban aspects of it, tax, regulate and zone for it, City Attorney Gregory Diaz noted.
With the staffs action, Diaz said he will give the council a roadmap that lays out those various paths. If it opted to tax it, for example, voters would need to approve it, while the council could ban growing it outdoors.
The council also directed staff to put information on Prop. 64 up on the citys website.
Police Chief Ken Corney, who is president of the California Police Chiefs Association, shared with the council the experience of Colorado. The state has since 2012 allowed recreational use.
Their objections include its allowing those with drug-related felony convictions to run a marijuana shop. As a measure written by the for-profit business community, it also didnt put much care into the public health aspect, Corney said.
Resident Monica Lindsey told the council she was a cancer survivor who experienced great relief from marijuana when she was going through chemotherapy.
She urged the council to allow the sales of marijuana, calling them health and wellness facilities.
If the measure passes, the city could impose a moratorium on permits for new licenses as it decides with course it will take, Diaz said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Ventura To Study Marijuana Measure
Author: Arlene Martinez
Contact: 805-437-0000
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Ventura County Star
