City creates task force to address medical marijuana

Posted: 6:29 am, September 22, 2016 by Reporter Jackie Iddings

Interested community members can apply at the city clerk’s office

–The Paso Robles City Council voted Tuesday night to create a task force to address the city’s medical marijuana regulations. Mayor Steve Martin and councilmen Steve Gregory, John Hamon and Jim Reed voted in favor of the task force. Councilman Fred Strong was absent, attending another meeting on behalf of the city. City Manager Tom Frutchey said anyone interested in serving on the medical marijuana task force may apply at the Paso Robles City Clerk’s office.

The task force is the outcome of a public workshop held by the city council on Sept. 6. At that meeting, a number of medical marijuana advocates suggested the council separate regulations for medical use from recreational use and form a committee to research and advise about a medical marijuana ordinance.

The task force will be comprised of five to seven members from the community and is intended to represent all perspectives. Meetings will be public in compliance with the Brown Act and to ensure full participation of members of the public. The overall goal is to complete the work of the task force within three to four months and return to the council with recommendations. Topics to be addressed by the task force include:

Personal cultivation both indoors and outdoors
Mobile dispensaries
Brick and mortar dispensaries
Regulations such as licensing, inspections and fees

The city will accept applications for appointment to the Task Force until: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12. Applications may be obtained at Paso Robles City Hall, 1000 Spring Street, or on the City’s website, www.prcity.com/advisory. For more information, please contact Deputy City Clerk Kristy Buxkemper at (805) 237-3960.

Meetings will be at city hall, at a time convenient to the members, and are expected to occur over a six- to eight-week period.

Council votes to ban recreational marijuana activities, in case Prop. 64 passes

The Paso Robles City Council voted Tuesday night expand its current ban on medical marijuana cultivation and dispensaries. The new ordinance will extend the current ban to recreational and commercial marijuana activities in advance of the November vote on Proposition 64.

The proposition, titled the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, is expected to be passed by voters, according to reports. The proposition would permit marijuana consumption and possession of one ounce of marijuana for adults 21-years-old and over. It would allow Californians to grow up to six marijuana plants indoors.

The city ordinance will ban dispensaries, outdoor cultivation and commercial activities. Delivery services will continue for medical use but not for recreational use.

The vote came after presentations by city staff and public comments. City Manager Frutchey provided some statistics from impact reports from Colorado and Washington showing increases in marijuana-related traffic deaths and public safety violations. Frutchey’s presentation included a statement from the Colorado impact report that the state’s annual tax revenue from the sale of recreational and medical marijuana represents about .5-percent of the state ‘s 2016 budget.

Chip Tamagni, a medical marijuana advocate, suggested the city consider provisions to require property owner permission before a renter can grow marijuana to avoid problems such as water damage, mold, and other issues addressed in the city staff report to the council. Tamagni also said he is interested in serving on the medical marijuana task force.