Del Rey Oaks passes first reading on medical marijuana ordinance

A medical marijuana dispensary is one step closer to serving those who legally carry a card. It’s the subject of a heated debate between residents in Del Rey Oaks.

Del Rey Oaks is taking the next step in creating a law forward in providing guidelines for future a medical marijuana dispensary. An application to open a dispensary has already been approved by the city, which is why some people said the city is jumping the gun.

The city attorney said Del Rey Oaks is within its legal right to approve an application for a medical marijuana dispensary, as a commercial business. Most city leaders said they’re looking forward to the money making potential to dispensary could bring into the tax base. Those who support the idea are pleased to see the majority of city council take its first step to create boundaries, paving the way for a dispensary.

“It looks like there’s a lot of energy around it, it certainly seems like the momentum is moving forward,” said supporter Jeffrey Lind.

The city said it received an application from Lonna Lewis-Blodgett, to put a dispensary at the corner of Fremont and Canyon Del Rey Blvd. and approved the application. Mayor Jerry Edelen said the proposed ordinance has a lot of safeguards in case the business becomes a problem. Those who are against it said the city is ignoring the potential harm to local kids, by wearing stickers to encourage council members to re-think the idea.

Brian Dadiw said he worked with the city of Pacific Grove when it had a similar proposal about four years ago.

“Worked with the City Council and mayor to educate them, you know a little bit more about what these kinds of dispensaries actually results when they do come into a community. And we found out it just is not good for communities,” said Dadiw.

The City Council did make some changes to the ordinance and plans to discuss it again next month. The dispensary can’t open until the city gives final approval on the ordinance.