LAKEPORT — A line of people wrapped around the Lake County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon as approximately 300 people attended the Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting that addressed a requested ban of retail, storefront medical marijuana dispensaries in Lake County.
BOS chair Jim Comstock asked the spirited crowd to refrain from calling out, booing, clapping or cheering. During the nearly five-hour meeting that request was consistently ignored.
At one point Comstock threw the gavel down hard enough to cause the audience to jump.
The steering committee that asked for the ban provided a presentation. Peter Windrem, a Lake County attorney, was the first to speak. He presented comparisons of Lake County and other California counties, pointing out that many other counties had bans and moratoriums on medical marijuana dispensaries.
“First and foremost, we”re not advocating the position that there should be no dispensaries in Lake County,” Windrem said. “We”re just dealing with the unincorporated areas.”
He said the committee would like to see local government adopt policies that affirm the values the county has had for a long time ? one of lawfulness, nature and beauty.
Melissa Fulton, CEO of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, presented information and documentation, such as letters from people and businesses in Lake County, as well as “The White Paper,” a report prepared by The Police Chiefs Association. Fulton also shared a personal account regarding the death of her brother and his need for medical marijuana while he suffered from melanoma.
Fulton said “at the very least we should have strongly regulated dispensaries, in my personal opinion.”
That was an opinion shared by numerous people on both sides of the argument.
Lake County Sheriff Frank Rivero said he was not in favor of banning the dispensaries. “I think we can accommodate both sides. We must regulate it.”
Rivero answered questions regarding crime statistics presented by Supervisor Anthony Farrington.
“From 2005 to today, there have been seven burglaries total in dispensaries in Lake County; seven suspicious circumstances; one juvenile call; one vandalism and two search warrants served. That is the extent of the contact law enforcement has had,” Rivero said.
More than 25 people provided public comment regarding the dispensary issue. Many were people who used medical marijuana and described various conditions and diseases being treated with medical marijuana.
Former Lake County Supervisor Ed Robey said the right approach is regulation. He cited a speech given at the onset of the meeting by Craig Shannon, Lake County Farm Bureau president. Shannon brought to light the fact that growers are not currently conforming to agricultural rules. Robey agreed with Shannon that this needs to change.
Supervisor Denise Rushing mirrored the concerns of Robey and Shannon, saying there needs to be attention paid to the cultivation aspect of marijuana in Lake County.
Following the public comment period, rebuttals were heard from Windrem, Attorney Ron Green and Fulton.
When supervisors returned to discussion, it was decided that the issue would be continued with the focus on regulation and not on a ban.
“At the end of the day for me, it”s a land use discussion,” Farrington said. We need to get into a serious discussion about land use and get that ordinance into place before the moratorium sunsets.”
A moratorium is currently in place and is due to expire in September or October.
Supervisor Jeff Smith agreed with Rushing and Farrington. Supervisor Rob Brown, who had some acrimonious exchanges with two audience members during the course of the evening, inside and outside of chambers, said “We need regulation … heavy regulation. I am not impressed at all with the threats of a convicted felon who is pretending to run a legitimate business.”
Comstock closed the meeting saying that people were extremely rude. No action was taken and the BOS will continue forward with zoning as it pertains to medical marijuana dispensaries.
Mandy Feder can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 32.
