A proposed emergency ordinance for a 45-day moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in Shasta County was snuffed-out by Supervisors Leonard Moty and David Kehoe, the motion was withdrawn by Supervisor of District 5 Les Baugh at their meeting on Tuesday. To pass, Baugh's motion for the emergency ordinance required four out of five votes.
The 45-day delay would have allowed county resource management "to get input from other departments in crafting additional zoning regulations," according to Interim County Council Michael Ralston.
While the emergency moratorium was not passed, zoning regulations for the dispensaries are still up for consideration by county staff.
While not in favor of the legality of medical marijuana, Moty voted against the motion -- as the "compassionate use" law allowing for the medicinal-only use of marijuana, Proposition 215, was passed in 1996.
"I will never see a reason to support medical marijuana," Moty, a former Redding Police Chief, said. "but after 14 years, 45 more days won't make a difference. I don't see the urgency for an ordinance."
Kehoe also questioned the need for urgency.
While agreeing that Prop 215 was in effect for many years, Baugh countered saying that "there has been no (zoning) clarification in that time."
Your Cottonwood Collective would still be asked to close at least temporarily, Shasta County Department of Resource Management Director Russ Mull said, since the business does not have a use permit.
"We will send a letter for them to get a use permit," Mull said of the action to be taken.
The use permit process takes at least three to four months, and the business would not be allowed to operate until a use permit is attained, Mull said.
"It happens all the time," Mull said of businesses that open without knowing what requirements exist.
The business, Mull said, would likely receive a use permit between the zoning regulations for a pharmacy and a business office.
"I was expecting the moratorium to pass, but now I have a whole other issue to tackle," owner of Your Cottonwood Collective Matthew Mosher said. "We're going to do anything and everything to keep our doors open."
Mosher said he approached the county before opening and was told the business did not require a business license or use permit.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 2
iceegoats writes:
Supervisor Les Baugh LIED to Matt Mosher, the owner of Your Cottonwood Collective. He told Mr Mosher that the Cottonwood Library did not want any of the collectives donations. And he said that many people have withdrawn their donations to the Library due to the collectives tentative donations. The head librarian denied that any donations were withdrawn and welcomes any donations to the Library from Your Cottonwood Collective. Just because Mr. Baugh is ignorant on the facts of Medical Marijuana use, does not mean that he should deny patients the right to have a local collective.
Go away Les Baugh, you will never get my vote. And I will surely spread the word about your ignorance of the laws. We the people voted in the State of California to allow the use and sale of Medical Marijuana.
cotnjim writes:
Your Cottonwood Collective opened up after following every law that was in effect at the time of opening. They contacted the county and all that was required in Cottonwood was a Fict. Business Name and of course the Sales Tax Certificate. The owners also called the Planning Department and explained exactly what they wished to open up. The Planning Department stated that the building was zoned for this type of enterprise and there were no other issues.
Now, Les Baugh is on a "Witch Hunt" going after this fine collective by inventing new requirements after the fact. How can this be legal?
Les Baugh, just because you do not need medical cannabis doesn't mean you should deprive others of this homeopathic plant.
Les Baugh, have you even visited this Collective? It is a clean and professional establishment. Unlike the new Collective "J & S" that recently opened up in Redding. That Collective also offers porn movies and tattooing. What does that have to do with the "not-for-profit medical cannabis collectives" allowed by State Law?
Les Baugh, why aren't you "concerned" with J & S? Leave Your Cottonwood Collective alone and STOP YOUR WITCH HUNT! A Man of God (so be it "part-time") should not be persecuting others.
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