In a session that ran until 2 a.m. on Wednesday, council members engaged in a drawn out discussion of the issue, with Republicans leading the discussion from the zoning issue to be decided, to questioning the potential risks, legality and credibility of the state’s medical marijuana program.
An amended ordinance submitted by Democratic councilor Leon Davidoff passed 6-3 along party lines. The rule provides for a 200-foot buffer zone between schools, parks, residential areas and places of worship, only allows facilities in a specific industrial zone in the Elmwood section of town.
Supported by Republican colleagues Burke Doar and Chris Barnes, Minority Leader Denise Hall first proposed an amendment to prohibit facilities-dispensaries throughout the town.
“There no harm in proposing this ban and watch it roll out elsewhere,” said Hall, calling marijuana a gateway drug to heroin. “I don’t think the state is in business of forcing a town to sell a drug.”
“The remarkable lack of public interest does not support amendment to ban,” countered Democrat Claire Kindall.
Even though marijuana is still illegal under federal law, Democratic councilor Harry Captain reported on a memo issued by the U.S. Department of Justice that said they will not prosecute marijuana patients or caregivers in states where medical marijuana it is legal. The House of Representatives has approved a similar measure which is headed to the Senate.
The state could potentially litigate an outright ban of medical marijuana facilities, advised Corporation Counsel Joseph O’Brien, saying there’s “no bright line” in medical marijuana regulations, such as there is regarding liquor.
Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor addressed the need for medical marijuana facilities for “seriously ill patients, who unfortunately need to get this on black market.”
“It’s legal for seriously ill patients and that is route I’m taking,” said Cantor. Continued…
“Corporation Counsel says we don’t have right to do it. I don’t think it helps families that need medical marijuana…what would a ban accomplish,” asked Slifka. “We want to be compassionate and to also send signal that we don’t want to become a Denver.”
In 2012, voters in Colorado passed Amendment 64, an initiative to amend the state constitution, outlining a statewide drug policy for cannabis. The measure passed, along with a similar Washington measure marked “an electoral first not only for America but for the world,” according to a report by The Economist.
Now enacted as Article 18, section 16 of the state constitution, the law addresses “personal use and regulation of marijuana” for adults 21 and over, as well as commercial cultivation, manufacture, and sale, effectively regulating cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol, according to a report by The Denver Post. The first recreational marijuana stores officially opened in Colorado on January 1, 2014.
In a session that ran until 2 a.m. on Wednesday, council members engaged in a drawn out discussion of the issue, with Republicans leading the discussion from the zoning issue to be decided, to questioning the potential risks, legality and credibility of the state’s medical marijuana program.
An amended ordinance submitted by Democratic councilor Leon Davidoff passed 6-3 along party lines. The rule provides for a 200-foot buffer zone between schools, parks, residential areas and places of worship, only allows facilities in a specific industrial zone in the Elmwood section of town.
Supported by Republican colleagues Burke Doar and Chris Barnes, Minority Leader Denise Hall first proposed an amendment to prohibit facilities-dispensaries throughout the town.
“There no harm in proposing this ban and watch it roll out elsewhere,” said Hall, calling marijuana a gateway drug to heroin. “I don’t think the state is in business of forcing a town to sell a drug.”
“The remarkable lack of public interest does not support amendment to ban,” countered Democrat Claire Kindall.
Even though marijuana is still illegal under federal law, Democratic councilor Harry Captain reported on a memo issued by the U.S. Department of Justice that said they will not prosecute marijuana patients or caregivers in states where medical marijuana it is legal. The House of Representatives has approved a similar measure which is headed to the Senate.
The state could potentially litigate an outright ban of medical marijuana facilities, advised Corporation Counsel Joseph O’Brien, saying there’s “no bright line” in medical marijuana regulations, such as there is regarding liquor.
Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor addressed the need for medical marijuana facilities for “seriously ill patients, who unfortunately need to get this on black market.”
“It’s legal for seriously ill patients and that is route I’m taking,” said Cantor.
In opposing a ban, Mayor Scott Slifka cited advice of the town’s attorneys.
“Corporation Counsel says we don’t have right to do it. I don’t think it helps families that need medical marijuana…what would a ban accomplish,” asked Slifka. “We want to be compassionate and to also send signal that we don’t want to become a Denver.”
In 2012, voters in Colorado passed Amendment 64, an initiative to amend the state constitution, outlining a statewide drug policy for cannabis. The measure passed, along with a similar Washington measure marked “an electoral first not only for America but for the world,” according to a report by The Economist.
Now enacted as Article 18, section 16 of the state constitution, the law addresses “personal use and regulation of marijuana” for adults 21 and over, as well as commercial cultivation, manufacture, and sale, effectively regulating cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol, according to a report by The Denver Post. The first recreational marijuana stores officially opened in Colorado on January 1, 2014.
West Hartford Dems approve restricted medical cannabis facilities
No comments:
Post a Comment