Michael Belluomini: Tell the city council how you feel about weed
Today, March 1, the Merced City Council will consider options for city laws regarding medical marijuana. You should communicate your concerns to council members. On Jan. 4, the council had a public study session on whether to legalize marijuana for medical use. After hours of testimony and a staff report, five council members indicated general support for the medical use of marijuana for those who have a prescription.
The main consideration was to pass an ordinance rapidly so a recent state law would not override the city’s ability to have local control over marijuana sales. So the council approved an ordinance prohibiting growing, distribution and dispensing of marijuana even for medical purposes as an interim measure until it could fully research issues including regulation of delivery, the number of dispensaries, the location of dispensaries and the number of plants allowed to individuals.
The council seemed to want to regulate – not prohibit – medical marijuana. It will discuss the matter at 5:30 p.m. at city hall in hopes of reaching consensus before giving staff direction on how to write the ordinance on medical marijuana.
Michael Belluomini, Council Member, Merced City Council
This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 1:23 PM with the headline "Michael Belluomini: Tell the city council how you feel about weed."