COVERITLIVE.COM

11:59

William Osborne - Hello out there. This is Bill Osborne, senior editor of the Union-Tribune's editorial and opinion pages. I'm ready with your questions anytime you are.

12:05

SignOnLiveChatModerator - William, why are local cities beginning to pass laws banning pot dispensaries?

12:07

William Osborne - A variety of reasons. Some officials fear an increase in crime. Some are simply opposed to the concept of medical marijuana. Some fear the impact a dispensary might have on the surrounding neighborhood.

12:08

[Comment From Jonathan Batterman]
Cities should regulate dispensaries, not ban them. The community needs safe access to Cannabis for patients. Growing your own is a hit or miss proposition, so How are these patients supposed to get their medicine if not from either regulated, safe dispensaries or from the street.. Those opposed to the concept have had 13 years to get used to the idea.

12:10

William Osborne - There are a lot of people, including some public officials, who agree with that. For those who don't, the fact that they have had years to get used to the idea is rather off the point.

12:11

William Osborne - The Union-Tribune editorial board has not yet taken a position on the issue of dispensaries and whether cities can or should ban them or regulate them, but I suspect we will in the near future.

12:13

William Osborne - As to the question of how patients are supposed to get marijuana if not from regulated, safe dispensaries, I don't think too many people have had a problem finding a source of marijuana in California.

12:14

SignOnLiveChatModerator -

If medical marijuana is legal under California law, can cities legally ban them? Or, can they easily cite Federal law as justification?

12:15

William Osborne - That's an open question, I think. Generally, cities can adopt zoning laws that restrict or even ban certain kinds of businesses. Just ask Wal-Mart. But there are also good legal minds who question the legality of an outright ban and it would surprise me if that question does not end up in court.

12:16

[Comment From Jonathan Batterman]
I would hope that the U-T will withhold it's opinion till the City's newly re-instated Medical Marijuana task force meets and makes it's recommendations regarding the matter to the city council. I believe many other officials around the county are also waiting for some direction.

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