Featured, Marijuana Growing

Joint Effort to Hash Out Marijuana Ordinance

Joint Effort to Hash Out Marijuana Ordinance
21 Aug

While some cities may have smoke-filled back rooms with deals being made so they can fill their pots with money from Mary Jane, Ione instead chose to cultivate their Marijuana Ordinance by taking a close look at what their current emergency ordinance has provided and by taking a look at cities that have had success with handling the pot issue to maintain a high quality of life. Obviously, this type of issue is not one you can just smoke through.

Sophia R. Meyer, attorney from Prentice Long & Epperson opened the conversation. “The easiest way is to match the state regulations, but regardless of what the council decides, the goal would be to have something in place by January. Regardless of which side of the issue you are on, this is the start of the discussion.”

The issue of Prop. 64 and the numerous budding issues that have grown from the legalization of recreational marijuana use in California has most cities scrambling to define a plan to deal with every problem that might crop up. After discussion of banking issues and public safety, the council rolled jointly into a discussion about personal use and commercial use of marijuana. “Ban outdoor cultivation totally,” said Ione Mayor Dominic Atlan. “Commercial growing should remain banned entirely.”

From there, the discussion turned to personal use. The state allows for reasonable regulation to be put in place. Ione Police Chief Busby had his chance to pipe in, “I don’t care if you want to regulate it, or which side you come down on the issue,” said Busby. “Those that are growing illegally are not going to get a permit. And we are not going to regulate into prosperity. I am not against a fee or permitting, but it has to cover the cost of what it is going to mean and do to our local police and fire departments. I am against allowing growing outside. It causes danger. There is the issue of thieves, trespassing and people protecting their property. It causes danger. Most carry guns. We’ve seen what it has done in Calaveras. Pass an ordinance we can work, but make sure it covers the additional costs it will incur on us and the city.”

Former Council member Dale Haney spoke during public comment. “We want a high quality of life,” he joked. “Seriously though, the emergency ordinance banned commercial and outdoor cultivation, period. I urge the council to once again ban marijuana to the level the state allows. Please, ban it.”

Leafing through the state’s leadership, the new laws that go in effect in January are a hot topic. “I think we need a blueprint to work from,” said Tom Reed. “Look at the most restrictive on down and bullet each area that needs to be addressed. What does the state say is reasonable regulation? What remedies do we, as a city, have?”

In the end, it was decided that much more public dialogue would be needed to find a model that is a win-win for everyone, which may be just a pipe dream. However, some cities and counties have had success. With that, the council voted to have Meyer bring a rough draft of an ordinance to smoke out the details. When that is completed, there will be more public dialogue. “We need a town hall meeting,” said Atlan. “Find out what the people of Ione want. If I recall, Prop 64 passed with 50 percent for and 49 percent against, and we were pretty similar. A town hall meeting and more public discourse is needed.”

This was the first discussion and direction to staff in preparation of the Marijuana Ordinance to replace the existing Urgency Ordinance. The new ordinance will need to be in place by January 1, 2018.

credit:ledger.news

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