Two years ago, the city of San Bernardino had an opportunity to develop and propose sensible medical marijuana policies on its own terms. Today, the city faces a situation of its own making, as at least three measures pertaining to the regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries will be on the November ballot.
On Monday, the council approved a formal resolution placing a measure backed by the California Cannabis Coalition, as well as another citizen-backed initiative, on the ballot. Both measures would allow varying numbers of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, with differing restrictions and regulations.
The city, for its part, advanced a proposal of its own to authorize marijuana dispensaries.
The proposal from the city, written in the past month, calls for allowing city-approved and vetted dispensaries so long as they are not within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, libraries, recreation centers, religious facilities or another dispensary. Under the proposal, dispensaries would have to operate under specific hours of operation, have security guards and security cameras, among other safety measures.
Despite the objections of Mayor Carey Davis to allowing marijuana dispensaries in the city, the council voted 5-2 to move forward with the proposal, with Councilmen Fred Shorett and James Mulvihill opposed.
Marijuana dispensaries, which are already ubiquitous throughout the city, simply cannot be left to the whims of the black market. For years, the city has spent vast sums of money chasing dispensaries in an expensive game of whack-a-mole. Two years ago, the city came close to discussing regulation, but that conversation ended abruptly.
Rather than thinking of the permitting of marijuana dispensaries as approval of marijuana use, sensible regulation should be considered an opportunity to gain some control over an otherwise uncontrolled market.
While we continue to parse the different proposals, we’re glad to see the city is finally considering medical marijuana dispensaries and contemplating an end to a failed policy of prohibition.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Three Marijuana Measures Head For Ballot In San Bernardino
Author: Press-Enterprise Editorial
Contact: The Press Enterprise
Photo Credit: David Downs
Website: The Press Enterprise