Politics & Government

Group Seeks Referendum to Overturn Repeal Of Napa's Medical Pot Ordinance

Napa City Council voted 3-2 to repeal the medical pot ordinance on Dec. 3.


The newly formed Napa’s Compassion Referendum Committee is mounting a referendum campaign seeking voter support to overturn Napa City Council's recent repeal of the city's medical marijuana ordinance.

Napa's medical marijuana dispensary ordinance provided for the operation of one dispensary -- and possibly one additional dispensary after one year, with the dispensaries to be selected based upon merit following a rigorous selection process.

"Napa’s MMDO is a win, win for the city, because it provides safe controlled access for those in need while creating jobs, generating sales tax revenues and funds for other non-profits and charitable organizations," said committee member Kyle Iverson in a press release Thursday.

Given completion of the necessary documents and sign-offs by the end of this week, Iverson said the committee will begin soliciting signatures on a petition to place the question on the ballot.

"This committee was formed with the goal of preserving Napa’s Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ordinance and implementing the law that was supported by a majority of Napa voters,"  Iverson said.

 "Specifically, the committee's goal is overturn the repeal of the MMDO by submitting the issue to the voters through the referendum process," he said.

On Dec. 3, Napa City Council voted to repeal its Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ordinance after a previous City Council had voted 5-0 in favor of the ordinance. 

Two members of the previous City Council that supported the ordinance reversed their positions and voted against it.

"The Compassion Referendum Committee felt that the city was doing a disservice to those in the community suffering from AIDS, Cancer, Glycoma, parylysis and many other medical illness that medical cannabis has proven to aid," Iverson said.

"Many of these patients are unable to drive to dispensaries in other cities and do not feel safe relying on delivery services that are often unregulated and potentially dangerous," he said.

The City of Napa’s Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ordinance was adopted on August 30, 2010, Iverson said.

"No exact dollar amount has been provided by the city, but numbers thrown around during City Hall meetings hovered around 100K dollars of Napa’s taxpayers' money that will not be recouped now that the repeal has been adopted," Iverson said.
                                                            

California was the first state in the nation to approve medical marijuana when voters approved proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, in 1996. Since then, 18 states have approved medical marijuana. In the City of Napa, proposition 215 passed with over 60 percent of the vote. 

In 2003, the state legislature approved Senate Bill 420 to establish rules of enactment of proposition 215.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In 2007 the California Attorney General released guidelines for the enforcement of state laws in context of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (proposition 215). These laws and guidelines impose rules and regulations for the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries such as patient registration requirements and nonprofit status.

In 2010, after two years of public meetings and workshops, the City of Napa passed the Medical Marijuana Ordinance which further regulated the application of the State medical marijuana laws.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.


According to Iverson, the committee agreed with current council members Scott Sedgley and Peter Mott, that by crafting a strong regulatory ordinance Napa could not only provide a model for other cities facing the same dilemma but also encourage those in Washington D.C. to see that Napa has got it right under current guidelines.

"Unregulated dispensaries are causing problems because they are operating without business permits and are frequently operating for profit," Iverson said.

"Napa’s ordinance regulated and monitored a local non-profit dispensary, which would allow for funds going back into the community to assist with other non-profits," he added. " This money could help other organizations that focus on youth prevention and teen abuse."

For more information or to join the signature gathering campaign, call 707-418-8024, or email at napacompassionreferendum@gmail.com. 











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