The City of Clearlake”s moratorium on the licensing of medical marijuana dispensaries resulted in a display of public concern at the city council”s regular meeting, Thursday, June 22. Several supporters of medicinal marijuana took an opportunity during Public Comment to address the council on the matter.
The council heard from business owners currently operating dispensaries in Clearlake, an attorney active in the cannabis movement and patients dependent upon the natural medicine.
The city issued the moratorium on April 13, which imposed a temporary 45-day moratorium on the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries. On May 25, the council voted to extend that moratorium for 10 months and 15 days.
The moratorium prohibits the issuing of business permits for medicinal marijuana dispensaries. Furthermore, it does not provide for renewal of business permits for existing businesses that provide patient access to marijuana medicine. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow city staff time to establish zoning regulations pertaining to medical marijuana dispensaries.
Several members of the public addressed the council with concerns that the city may block patient access to medical marijuana.
David McCullick, operator of D and M Compassion Center in Clearlake, urged the council to follow the example of other municipalities in addressing medical marijuana dispensaries. “Rather than denying access to hundreds or even thousands of legally qualified patients that rely on it, I urge you to follow the example of several other municipalities that have successfully developed regulations without instituting moratoria, while others have voted not to extend brief moratoria,” McCullick said. “A moratorium is not a necessary step to regulate medical cannabis dispensaries and it places an undue burden on medical marijuana patients.”
McCullick identified potential hazards in blocking legal access to cannabis medicine as well. “When properly permitted, regulated and operated, dispensing collectives will prevent lawful patients from unnecessary and potentially harmful entanglements with illicit markets or law enforcement.” McCullick continued, “I encourage the council to support and develop regulations that provide safe and legal access to medical cannabis so patients aren”t forced to access medicine in illegitimate places.”
Dave Moses, CFO of Holistic Solutions on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, along with his staff attorney Danny Schultz, also addressed the council. While Moses offered further information regarding the implementation of regulations on medical marijuana dispensaries, Schultz provided the council with documented court decisions supporting patient rights in accessing their medicine as well as decisions relating to reimbursement for supplying medicinal marijuana to legal recipients.
Clearlake citizens Roger Warner and Jerl Spinelli also addressed the council and conveyed their dependence upon medical marijuana use. Warner asked that the city and its agencies not make it more difficult for him to access his medicine. He brought a container of government-approved prescription pills that he held up before the council and described how his dependence on the chemically-ascribed prescriptions has decreased with the use of medical marijuana.
Spinelli”s address was similar as he explained the severity of the cancer illness he suffers from. As a Vietnam vet who had served two voluntary tours of duty as a Spec. 5 aviation sergeant, Spinelli said he was exposed to Agent Orange, which has left him suffering from cancer. Conventional medicine is not an option for him as he said that his liver cannot handle the chemicals associated with such medicines as Vicodin or other regulated pain killers. “If it wasn”t for medical marijuana, I wouldn”t be here today,” Spinelli acclaimed.
Although a total of five individuals addressed the council from the podium during the Public Comment session, several other medical marijuana supporters were in attendance. According to Moses, the group chose five to represent the whole in consideration of the council”s hefty agenda. The council, in accordance with the Brown Act, did not offer any comments on the issue. The council is expected to hear an progress update on the moratorium sometime during the month of August.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
