No medical marijuana dispensaries in Wildomar — that was the final word from City Council Wednesday night as it voted to reject an ordinance that would have paved the way for cannabis operations to open in the city.
In front of an overflow audience, Wildomar City Council voted 3-1 to reject the medical marijuana ordinance during its regularly scheduled meeting.
Councilwoman Sheryl Ade was the dissenting vote; Councilwoman Marsha Swanson was absent during Wednesday’s meeting.
While the audience remained mostly orderly, emotions were palpable — both for and against the ordinance.
Wildomar resident Gloria Young pleaded with the council not to approve the ordinance.
“Please, please don’t do this to our community,” she said. “Don’t sell us out.”
Martha Bridges, who is running for Wildomar City Council, argued against the ordinance.
“The resolution is inadequate as it has been brought to you,” she said. “Any such ordinance should be brought to the voters for approval.”
Wildomar resident William Sump, who opened a medical marijuana facility in the city earlier this year that was quickly shut down by code enforcement, argued in favor of the ordinance.
“Please help to facilitate the safe access of cannabis,” he said.
After listening to the public comments — nearly 30 speakers in all — Councilwoman Ade argued vehemently for the ordinance.
“I would like to see us come into compliance with the state law,” she said.
Under Proposition 215, which was passed into California State Law back in 1996 and became known as the Compassionate Use Act, criminal penalties were removed for the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess a physician’s written or oral recommendation.
Both Councilman Scott Farnam and Councilman Bob Cashman agreed with Councilwoman Ade that medical marijuana should be made available to patients who need it. But both councilmen ultimately said they believe the community was not in support of the ordinance.
“I don’t see a problem with cooperatives or dispensaries, but I cannot support this ordinance because of what I’ve heard from the community,” Councilman Farnam said.
“I’m not happy with not having safe access,” Councilman Cashman said. “I don’t think it (marijuana) is a Schedule I drug like the federal government does. But I don’t think the community wants this ordinance.”
Mayor Bridgette Moore flatly rejected the ordinance.
“I don’t want to spend one more penny on this.”
During Wednesday’s meeting, Wildomar City Manager Frank Oviedo said there are currently 26 pending applications for medical marijuana facilities.
Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, who is also a pharmacist, was invited by City Council to speak during Wednesday night’s meeting. Prior to the council vote, he provided background on the history and use of medical cannabis. He also went through the ordinance, by line item, comparing it to a yet-to-be-drafted county ordinance that is currently being considered to regulate medical marijuana collectives and cooperatives.
During his presentation, Stone cited some of the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis and he provided statistics on the high number of overdose deaths from several legal substances, including alcohol. He said there have been zero deaths attributed to cannabis overdose.
The issue of medical marijuana had been on Wildomar’s radar for several months. In April, City Council passed a motion in a 4-1 vote to draft a medical marijuana ordinance. Mayor Bridgette Moore was the dissenting vote.
The Wildomar ordinance, which was modeled off one adopted by the Orange County retirement city of Laguna Woods, was drafted by the City Attorney’s office. It was then passed to the city’s planning commission to address zoning and land use considerations.
On Aug. 4, the planning commission voted 3-2 to recommend that City Council not adopt the ordinance.
Toni McAllister is SWRNN’s lifestyles editor. She can be reached at toni.mcallister@yahoo.com or 951-234-0704. Follow her on Twitter at SWRNNaelife.
ORIGINAL POST AS VOTE CAME IN:
Wildomar City Council has rejected a medical marijuana ordinance that, had it been passed, would have set precedent in Southwest Riverside.
The 3-1 vote came after a sometimes-heated debate by those who supported the use of medical marijuana and others who said permitting the use of the drug would set a bad precedent and be dangerous. Council woman Sheryl Ade voted against the motion rejecting the ordinance, while Council woman Marsha Swanson was absent.
Had it been approved, the ordinance would have allowed the creation of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, something no other Riverside County city — outside of Palm Springs — has done.
The issue of medical marijuana has been on Wildomar’s radar for several months. In April, City Council passed a motion in a 4-1 vote to draft a medical marijuana ordinance. Mayor Bridgette Moore was the dissenting vote.
The Wildomar ordinance, which is modeled off one adopted by the Orange County retirement city of Laguna Woods, was drafted by the City Attorney’s office. It was then passed to the city’s planning commission to address zoning and land use considerations.
On Aug. 4, the planning commission voted 3-2 to recommend that City Council not adopt the ordinance.
Source: Southwest Riverside News Network
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