Wildomar Planning Commission puts off recommendation on medical pot
In a 4-0 vote, the commission agreed to continue discussion of the resolution during the next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 4.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Wildomar Planning Commission said Wednesday night that it needed more time before deciding on a recommendation to the City Council on a resolution that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to legally operate in the city.
In a 4-0 vote, the commission agreed to continue discussion of the resolution during the next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 4.
The resolution will recommend that City Council either approve or vote against a drafted ordinance to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in Wildomar.
“I’m all for helping people get well and help them with their pain, but I need more time on this,” said Commissioner Gary Andre. “I can’t decide tonight.”
Commissioner Ben Benoit also expressed concerns with the ordinance, but none of the other commissioners commented on the issue.
Commissioner Robert Devine was absent Wednesday night.
In April, the Wildomar City Council passed a motion in a 4-1 vote to draft the medical marijuana ordinance. The ordinance was sent to the planning commission for review and vote. It is modeled off an ordinance adopted by the Orange County retirement city of Laguna Woods.
If passed by council member vote, the ordinance will establish Wildomar as the only Southwest Riverside County city — and only the second city in Riverside County besides Palm Springs — to allow medical marijuana operations.
Under Prop 215/SB 420, medical marijuana is legal in California with a doctor’s recommendation.
During Wednesday’s meeting, several medical marijuana advocates addressed the commission in support of the ordinance.
Murrieta resident Steven Chang said he is part of a medical marijuana collective, and he supports regulation through an ordinance to help stamp out illegal operations.
“It (medical marijuana) should be really restricted. It should be controlled,” he said.
Carlos Stahl, who operates R Side Medical in Lake Elsinore, a collective operation that provides medical marijuana to patients, said he too wants to see regulation.
“Marijuana is here,” he said. “We need to provide safe access for people who need it.”
While the majority of people who spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting expressed support for the ordinance, not everyone agreed.
Wildomar resident Norman Smith said, “It’s the worst thing you can do in this city. I pray and hope you don’t put this in.”
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.
Tags: Commissioner Ben Benoit, Commissioner Robert Devine, medical marijuana, SWRNN, wildomar, wildomar planning commission
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