By Jonathan Goetz
February 14, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- In November 2016, Lemon Grove voters approved Measure V, allowing for sale of medical marijuana in Lemon Grove. Dispensaries will be allowed in certain sections of the city with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).
In the same election, California voters approved recreational marijuana. That measure included a clause that allows municipalities to ban such sales in their jurisdictions.
So at last week’s Council Meeting, the Lemon Grove City Council unanimously agreed to update its municipal code per staff’s recommendation and the election results to authorize medical marijuana sales, also officially banning sale of recreational marijuana within Lemon Grove.
Dana Stephens from Citizens Against Substance Abuse (CASA) praised the Council for closing dispensaries in the past, saying, “This has been an ongoing discussion in this community for many years and the Council has always provided leadership. Regarding advertising, the normalization of use, if there is anything we can do to continue supporting this Council we are happy to do so. Thank you for your leadership.”
Kathy Lapit from San Diegans for Safe Neighborhoods said, “The very limited need for using marijuana as a medicine means there should be very few of these dispensaries. As far as advertising, please put significant restrictions in terms of billboards and media and print that promote the normalization of marijuana.” She also encouraged them to regulate edibles.
Barbara Gordon told Council, “I am an adult advisor to Friday night live youth chapter. I am here because our students have concerns on the number of dispensaries allowed; access and availability will increase use among their peers. Public safety needs to be the council’s primary the community. Where in this permit process can the community have input? The public has a concern about marijuana and the effect it has in the communities.”
Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza reminded them of the conditional use permit process, adding, “This is going to be refined over the next couple of council meetings so I highly encourage you to be here because of this matter. Please come back before our Council, or you can review our minutes on our website, which will give you an update as to how this progresses.”