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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Regulation of Marijuana Distribution, Use, and Sales, aCity Regulation of Marijuana Distribution, Use, and Sales, and Prop 64 Update City Attorney Michael E. Gates Police Chief Robert Handwga Citv's Existinq Regulation of Mariiu through Land Use Permissive Use Zoning, Implied Prohibition: Commercial sale or distribution of marijuana is prohibited under the City's permissive Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance. Uses not specifically enumerated are prohibited. (See Zoning Code Section 211.04) o Medical Marijuana Express Prohibition (2015): The City's Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance prohibits medical marijuana businesses, including distribution Business Licenses Required: Busine business in City need a Business�LcE Federal Law I Substance (Most Hi Regardless of any State law, Marijuana is a product that is illegal under Federal Law. Pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is a Schedule I drug. Under that classification, marijua "has a high potential for abuse... has no currently accepted medic use in treatment in the United States [and] there is a lack of acce safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision" [21 U.S.0 812(b)(1)l. While the current Federal Law is not being actively enforced, it is illegal. As such; there is a conflict between State and Federal law that has not been resolved. A confusing legal landscape has been created by congressional action and executive branch inaction led this outcome. —44 California's Proposition 64 o Passed by California voters in 2016 o It's a "decriminalization" of possession, use, and sales, Statute: • Legalized the recreational use of marijuana for persons 21 and older on private property — not 1 use in public places (without a permit) • Legalized in -home cultivation of 6 or less plants. • Legalized the delivery of recreational use marijuana to private locations. o Provides for State -certified sales of recreational marijuana. Prop 64 Personal Use o General Rules regarding marijuana under Prop 64: • Must be 21 years of age or older to possess or use marijuana. • Decriminalizes regular possession of up to 28.5 _ grams of marijuana and 8 grams of marijuana product. • Decriminalizes giving away of up to 28.5 grams of marijuana and 8 grams of marijuana product. Under Proa 64. Areas of Possib City Regulation o City can regulate or prohibit the commercie sale or delivery of recreational marijuana. State -certification for commercial sales is not a permit to engage in sales in a City. o City can ban outdoor cultivation. cc) City can "reasonably" regulate indoor, personal cultivation, even if such activity permitted under Prop 64. Establish a personal cultivation permit with an appropriate fee. map Require an annual indoor ins pectii0A ; Impacts of Legalization in Colorado The majority of DUI drug arrests involve marijuana and 25% to 40%were marijuana alone. Local cities saw an increase in marijuana traffic related deaths. (32% increase in 2014.) Marijuana related traffic deaths accounted for 20% of all traffic deaths in the state, compared to 10% in past years. Impacts of Legalization in Colorado Overdose problems due inconsistent content and consumption of edibles. Colorado saw an increase in 'Organized Crime' including marijuana grown in Colorado sold illegally in other states. Crime related to all cash business. '• y� :fob Other Impacts • Marijuana use by minors has increased. • School suspensions for marijuana use increased. • A 38% increase in marijuana related hospitalizations immediately after retail businesses began operations. • Correlation in homelessness increases. ,:A Under Prop 64, City's Proposed Express Regulation of Distribution, Use, and Sales of Recreational Use Marijuana Zoninq and Municipal Code Amendments: • Recreational Use Marijuana deliveries as a prohibited use in all zones of the City. Recreational Use Marijuana sales as a prohibited use in all zones of the City. • Outdoor cultivation, even on private property, as a prohibited use in all zones of the City. Production of alternate marijuana products as a prohibited use in all zones of the City. Questions? City Attorney Michael E. Gates Police Chief Robert Handy