Print friendly
E-mail story
Tip Us Off
iPod friendly
Comments
Bookmark This
del.icio.us.
Digg!
furl
google
newsvine
reddit
technorati
Facebook
Yahoo!Although they voiced support for medical marijuana patients, Goleta's City Council voted 5-0 in support of an ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits. Citing the need to examine the option of allowing and regulating dispensaries in more detail, the council imposed upon itself an August 30 deadline. "Part of the argument against [regulation] is that it's in conflict with federal law," said Councilmember Michael Bennett, who found issue with a document produced by Goleta city staff indicating that medical marijuana dispensaries attract crime. "If we were to prohibit businesses that attract crime, we could go on a rampage," he said, pointing to stores selling liquor and firearms as more of a risk. Several medical marijuana patients showed up at the hearing to offer comment, with one man-who said he was suffering from a painful digestive tract ailment known as Crohn's disease-getting on his knees before the council. The proprietors of Grassroots Research, including Mark Russell (left), a medical marijuana collective operated from a private residence in Goleta, were less than happy with the ban. "We've addressed the city to relocate to a zoned commercial area several times, but they sent us a letter that said they can't give us permits to relocate," said Seamus Ethridge, one of the collective's caregivers, who said he was surprised by the support given by all of the councilmembers.
Double-clicking on any word or phrase in this story will open a reference window with definitions and links to other reference material.
Previous Month
Comments
Discussion Guidelines
Since the Obama Admin. has said they will not raid any legal Dispensarys the Councils argument is nothing but a Strawman. They have more to worry about from a rogue sheriff like those in Kern and San Diego County that refuse to accept the will of the voter.
SmileySam (anonymous profile)
June 4, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I sincerely hope that no member of the Goleta City Council is ever afflicted with a disease for which medical marijuana offers the best hope for relief (well maybe just one of them). If they were, perhaps it would soften their opposition. The number of really dangerous substances that are perfectly legal, although perhaps regulated (alcohol, tobacco, firearms, gasoline, junk food, a variety of prescription and non-prescription medicines) while a fairly benign drug is demonized boggles the mind. I have not done a thorough search of the literature but I do not believe there is a single case of death from overdose of marijuana. Aspirin, Tylenol, alcohol cannot make that claim and firearms claim lives due to accidents on a regular basis. Lighten up (or even light up) City Council, and see the light!
Noletaman (anonymous profile)
June 5, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's like saying that you believe in free speech and then pass and ordinance to limit some form of political speech.
Vote 'em out, they're hypocrites.
If you want to regulate the industry, then let the dispensaries operate until you get your shizzle together.
loonpt (anonymous profile)
June 5, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
was there spoke to council very disappointing Marc and Seamus my caregivers are great peeps
calikid55 (anonymous profile)
June 5, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The debate will continue Saturday, October 17th in the Faulkner Gallery, central Public Library in Santa Barbara
http://www.independent.com/events/200...
green_helmet (anonymous profile)
September 17, 2009 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)