Malibu Votes to Allow and Regulate Dispensaries
| By Don Duncan Americans for Safe Access | Published June 9, 2008 |
On Tuesday, the Malibu Planning Commission rejected a recommendation by city staff to ban medical cannabis collectives and asked staff to return with a proposal to regulate as many as three facilities in the city. Commissioners heard from ASA representatives, patients, a doctor, and the attorneys for PCH Collective, one of two collectives operating in Malibu under the terms of the city's two-year-old moratorium. The attorney for PCH Collective submitted a petition with almost four hundred signatures calling for regulations instead of a ban.
Several Commissioners questioned me about regulations in other cities, conflicts with federal law, sales tax, and other details following public comments. No one from the public spoke in favor of a ban.
The Commissioners debated the issues at length before settling on a motion calling for strict regulations based on the ordinance recently adopted in Claremont. They also opted to allow up to three collectives after debating the need to prevent a proliferation of collectives while preserving competition to keep prices in check. It is unclear how quickly staff will return a recommendation for an ordinance, but the city's moratorium expires on June 25.
The operator and members of PCH Collective are to be commended for making a strong and professional showing at the hearing. They spent weeks lining up support and educating Commissioners. It was a text book example of effective organizing and advocacy. We can all be relieved that we are looking at one more city with regulations, and one less ban in California!
Read more about the hearing, including Don's testimony, in ASA's discussion forums.
Take Action to Support Safe Access in Malibu
| By Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard Americans for Safe Access | Published May 14, 2008 |
The City of Malibu has Proposed a Ban on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries! Take action to support safe access in Malibu! Click here to sign the petition!
The Malibu Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to discuss a dispensary ban on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 23815 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA.
| Date: |
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 |
| Time: | 6:30 PM |
| Address: | Council Chambers, City Hall 23815 Stuart Ranch Road get directions Malibu, California 90265 |
In the meantime, please sign the online petition to protect safe access in Malibu! Click here to support safe access for medical cannabis patients!
Please forward this to anyone you know who is a Malibu resident who supports having legal safe access to medical marijuana in Malibu.
