CC 2016-01-26_09h Supplemental Info. No. 1MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: TERESA McCLISH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
STEVEN ANNIBALI, CHIEF OF POLICE
DAVID HIRSCH, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
AGENDA ITEM 9.h. -JANUARY 26, 2016 CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT CASE
NO. 15-003; ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 16.62
TO TITLE 16 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING MEDICAL MARIJUANA; LOCATION -CITYWIDE;
APPLICANT-CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
DATE: JANUARY 25,2016
Attached is correspondence received regarding the above-referenced agenda item.
cc: City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Public Review Binder
Gina Mori
425 S Elm St 41B
Arroyo Grande, Ca 93420
Arroyo Grande City Council
300 E Branch St.
Arroyo Grande, Ca 93420
Cc : Kate Kytle, SLO County Supervisors
January 17, 2016
Dear City Council members,
RECEIVED
JAN 2 2 2016
CITY OF . ARROYO GRANDE
I was in attendance at the 1-12-16 City Council Meeting. I was one of many who spoke out against
limiting our access to life saving Medical Cannabis.
I have attended many City, County, Federal and State Government meetings of various kinds and I have
never experienced anything like the AG meeting. The mudslinging, hostility, and obvious discord were
undeniable. It was embarrassing for me as a citizen of AG and seemingly a non productive waste of
time. Even the sound system was problematic. I would have expected a more professional, focused
meeting. Rather than wasting time on more trivial orders of business. We are dealing with life and
death here. This is the first time I have ever spoken on any agenda item, at any government meeting,
where no one was speaking out in opposition.
For example there was so much talk about the Brisco Rd ramp closure. I agree it has been an
inconvenience to me as well, but my new route is now preferred, since the merge lane is more user
friendly at Oak Park. This is far from a life and death situation, whereas not having our medicine is.
It would have been wonoerful to have the Mayor present. His input is valued and he may have guided
other council member's decision. It seems only fair to put this item back on the agenda, in order to
allow the Mayor to also be involved in the process.
Prop 215 Passed in 1996, 20 years ago!! Only one bad seed was continually referred to at the meeting.
Apparently in the past, there was a grow operation with 400 plants within city limits. In my research, I
was not able to find any details on this grow operation. Council member Kristen Barneich apparently
lived nearby at the time. The open discussion regarding this grow operation seemed more self serving
than anything. I thought the Council's job is to consider the health and welfare of its citizens?
I asked .half a dozen lifetime AG residents what they knew of this infamous "Grow Operation" and not
one had any knowledge of it. It was never made clear at the meeting what crimes were actually
committed. Who was in danger and or what was damaged? Other than mention of the nuisance of
fans, lights, traffic etc; I was not clear on what actually happened.
It seems extremely disproportionate that innocent patients are now left to suffer due to one bad
experience spanning 20yrs of legal medicinal marijuana. We are not asking for the ability to grow 99
plants. We are asking for what the new Ca rules allow, which is approximately 6 mature plants and six
babies.
I would like to also personally thank Council Member Tim Brown. Tim Brown who voted against full
prohibition; is obviously the most enlightened of all City Government officials in attendance. When you
are personally faced with disability, disease, chronic pain etc., you truly understand. As also
acknowledged by Council Member Tim Hill; prohibition NEVER works.
There were more citizens in attendance (8-10 people) to support personal Cannabis use, than any other
subject. We sat patiently for over 3 hrs, waiting our turn to be heard. It is very clear that all of the
council members had already made up their minds on this matter. Although I did sense empathy from
three of the four council members present, as patients spoke about the necessity of our medical
Cannabis, I had a greater sense of ignorance and self serving purposes.
Not one single citizen spoke against access to Cannabis. If "the people" are so opposed, then where
were they? The willingness of this City Council to perpetuate our suffering is beyond disheartening. The
voters of Ca have already spoken, time and time again. These are the same people who live in your city.
A citywide vote would surely end in a vote supporting reasonable access to the medicine, many of us
depend on.
Three of the council members agreed that Marijuana is a viable, helpful and valid treatment option. Yet
only one of the same three members was willing to allow patients access to their medicine legally, in
their city of residence. The decision seemed more personal than factual; based on one members
experience, rather than constituent preference. AG Council members also agreed that there is real
science behind this medicine. Three of the Council members expressed compassion for patients, yet
only one BRAVE member actually used his vote against prohibition.
The council's apparent leaning towards possibly allowing a brick and mortar dispensary, is the least
helpful option for patients such as myself. The cost of the medicine is way too high for my budget.
Delivery services are cheaper and growing my own is the most cost effective/affordable option. Many
of us can not afford the Co-op prices and need to growr -our own medicine.
1 had a double mastectomy in Oct 2014 with reconstruction in Dec 2014. I was bedridden post-op for
over a week and had I not had the delivery service option, I could not have acquired my tincture for my
pain. 1 do not take prescription meds, since they are so bad for our health. I was able to heal naturally
using my tinctures and edibles. It is terrifying to know that, if I were in the same situation again, I would
not be able to have my necessary meds delivered.
It was repeatedly reiterated, even by the Police chief, that it will be a "complaint based" enforcement
system. The suggestion to break the law by growing a few plants for personal use, is not going to· help
the people like myself who go by the book. We are law abiding citizens, why are you forcing us to break
the law?
Vallejo, Ca City council has appointed a 16 person committee. Suisun, Ca has made an exception for
personal individual cultivation. Many municipalities are recognizing the revenue that will be lost by
forcing people to purchase medicine from other cities. If cities in SLO continue to approve prohibition,
where can patients, legally acquire their meds in SLO County? Many of us need access to our life saving
medical cannabis. The smart cities are strategizing two fold. They have the compassion to insure
patients have access to their life saving meds and they also see the revenue available to their cities .
. . --P-lease review the recent front pg article in "New-Times", "featllring·Kate Kytle (another patientwho
spoke out at Council Meeting). It is in the edition of week ending 1-14-15. I wanted to copy it for you,
but it is an odd size. Please educate yourselves and also study how other Ca cities are handling this
issue. I feel terrible that Kate moved closer to me from Sacramento, where she had access to her meds
and now it looks like her life saving CBD's will not be accessible here in AG. I am thinking about starting
a petition on her behalf. Would it make any difference to you, to hear from your local constituents on
this issue?
I hope you factor in the seriousness of this situation and reconsider complete prohibition. There are a
multitude of other solutions, besides complete prohibition. It seems like it's the easy way out for the
Council and not what "the people" want. How many times do Californians need vote in favor of access
to medicinal marijuana, a natural medicine given to us by God, before it actually happens? Each law
passed after 215, has actually limited patient access. My opinion remains and has always been that, we
should have left it alone. The more you involve government, the more they make a mess of things.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I am holding out hope that you can all come up with a more
compassionate, realistic plan.
Signed,
---(\J\-----,-----' T~~
Gina Mori