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Politics & Government

Locals Support Prescribed Pot

In a city with no dispensaries, residents say they favor the medicinal use of marijuana.

As the political tug of war over medicinal marijuana continues between federal and state authorities, Napa's city council has inside city limits.

With no dispensary anywhere in Napa County, Napans with state-sanctioned prescriptions for medical cannabis—legalized more than a decade ago when California voters approved Proposition 215—must drive to another county and often a larger city, such as Vallejo or Santa Rosa, to obtain the drug they are legally allowed to consume.

A patient's story

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"It's really frustrating to have to leave my home town to find the medications I need," said Micah Malan of Napa during public comments at Wednesday evening's special city council meeting, held to extend an urgency ordinance putting dispensary plans on hold.

"It's really hard to drive to a place like Vallejo, as severely disabled as I am, getting out my car and having to worry about getting robbed or anything like that," Malan, a quadriplegic who uses a wheelchair, told the council.

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Medical marijuana still has many foes in Napa, some of whom also spoke at Wednesday's council meeting. The countywide Catalyst Coalition, which combat substance abuse among the young, is on record as opposing any pot dispensaries in Napa.

But the city council is unanimously in favor of a Napa clinic, should the legal way be cleared.

Word on the street

Thursday at Bel Aire Plaza in north Napa, shoppers also supported the medical use of cannabis.

“I am for dispensing marijuana as long it is prescribed legally by a doctor,” said Steve Cotton.

“I think a lot of medical marijuana use has got a bad rap. I don’t use it myself. I don’t think there should be an open door on dispensing it, but if a person has a legitimate prescription from a doctor, they should be able to get it in Napa County," Cotton said.

Kelly Ramirez agreed: “If the drug has been prescribed by a doctor, his or her patient should be able to obtain marijuana. It is a very valuable drug in helping those who have cancer.”

Karen Rossi said, “Marijuana can be a lifesaver for anyone experiencing the awful pain of cancer. It also stimulates cancer patient’s appetite helping them to eat, which is something many cancer patients would rather not do.”

Jeff Danter of Napa said he is not surprised by the city council’s decision to place a year-long moratorium on the process of approving a dispensary.

“Napa is a pretty conservative city," Danter said.

"I think marijuana should be allowed if it is legally prescribed by a doctor,” he added.

“It is a sticky subject.”

City Hall reporting and background by Napa Patch editor Louisa Hufstader.

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