HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2017-03-01_Minutes Special Meeting - MarijuanaMINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING — MARCH 1, 2017
VETERANS MEMORIAL HALL
209 SURF STREET — 4:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Jamie Irons
Robert Davis
John Headding
Maft Makowetski
Marlys McPherson
STAFF: .Dave Buckingham
Chris Neumeyer
Dana Swanson
Ikani Taumoepeau
Jody Cox
AGENDA NO: A-1
MEETING DATE: March 28, 2017
Mayor
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
Assistant City Attorney
City Clerk
Deputy City Manager
Acting Police Chief
ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Irons established a quorum and called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. with all members
present.
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEM:
I. PROPOSITION 64 AND MARIJUANA LAW WORKSHOP
hftps://Youtu.be/IsPIKAFHVmu*?t=5s
PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu. be/IsP I KAF HVmQ'?t=3m36s
Mayor Irons opened public comment for items on the agenda.
Rick Morse of Medmar Clinic, Fresno, CA, shared his Clinic has been converted to s referral and
consultation service. He believes in the medical aspect of marijuana but does not support
recreational use.
Steve Babcock of Los Osos Collective Organics, provides medical marijuana delivery service in
San Luis Obispo County and supports safe access for medical patients, including delivery to and
brick and mortar dispensaries in Morro Bay.
Eric Powers, CEO of Megan's Organic Market, an organic cultivator and retail service, offered to
answer questions, if needed.
Adam Pinterits of Ethnobotanica, a medical collective with patients across San Luis Obispo
County, provided an information binder to the Council and offered to remain available to answer
questions after the meeting
Rich Besco, driver for Ethnobotanica, spoke in support of medical and recreational marijuana use
and asked the Council to have an open mind and consider all options.
Lindsay Schuban, Ethnobotanica, spoke in support of recreational and medical cannabis and
shared the positive impact and need in our society.
Rigmor, Morro Bay, shared the positive impact medical marijuana has had on her friends and
family members.
Megan of Megan's Organic Market, an organic commercial cannabis cultivator and retail delivery
service, has been in operation four years and has 2,000 patients. She offered to answer
questions, if needed.
Marie Roth, President of San Luis Obispo Cannabis Business Association, stated the goal of this
non-profit association is to help the industry become legally compliant.
The public comment period was closed.
Assistant City Attorney, Chris Neumeyer, presented information for round table discussion by the
Council and staff (PowerPoint available here).
hftps://voutu.be/IsPIKAFHVmQ'?t=15m22s
Staff requested the Council consider possible further action on the following topics concerning
Proposition 64 and marijuana law:
• Personal marijuana cultivation (indoor and outdoor);
• Personal marijuana use;
• Commercial marijuana operations (medical and recreational) which include dispensaries,
cultivation sites, testing, manufacturing and delivery; and
• Marijuana taxation and fees.
Staff encouraged the Council consider definite further action to address the following issues which
involve loss of local control if no action is taken:
• Regulation of indoor personal marijuana cultivation;
• Before January 1, 2018 determine whether to regulate or ban commercial marijuana
operations which otherwise will be eligible for state licenses; and
• Before January 1, 2018 determine whether marijuana deliveries into the City, from lawful
operations outside the City will be allowed or prohibited.
Following the presentation, the Council directed staff begin outreach with a community survey,
conduct multiple community workshops divided by subject matter, then bring that community input
back to Council. The proposed timeline was to allow six weeks for survey input, conduct
workshops over the next two months, then report to Council.
The Council voted 5-0 to appoint Council Members Davis and McPherson to a marijuana
subcommittee to review survey materials and provide input during the outreach process.
The Mayor reopened Public Comment:
https://youtu. be/IsPIKAFHVmQ?t=2h3m7s
Rick Morse, Medmar Clinic, stated there is a substantial difference between medical and
recreational marijuana.
Adam Pinterits, Ethnobotanica, appreciated the discussion and suggested revenue might be
considered a priority.
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING -MARCH 1, 2017
Eric Powers, Megan's Organic Market, discussed testing procedures, energy requirements for
indoor gardens, and suggested rather than a lottery or first come first served, the City develop a
selection process for choosing which businesses operate in the City
Cindy Gonzalez, Elite Care California, shared information regarding her business and the
industry.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Recorde by:
ana Swanson
City Clerk
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING -MARCH 1, 2017