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Newport Beach City Council votes to move marijuana sales ban forward
In this file photo, various types of marijuana are on display at Private Organic Therapy (P.O.T.), a non-profit co-operative medical marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles. A rule to ban growing and selling marijuana in Newport Beach moved forward Tuesday night with a unanimous vote by the City Council.
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David McNew/Getty Images
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An ordinance to ban growing and selling marijuana in Newport Beach moved forward Tuesday night with a unanimous vote by the City Council.
The Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would make marijuana cultivation, processing and delivery, as well as marijuana dispensaries, illegal in the city. The rule will be up for another vote on Nov. 24.
The proposed ban was introduced following the passage of the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law in October and is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016. The legislation will create the first statewide licensing and operating rules for growers, manufacturers and shops since California legalized medical marijuana nearly two decades ago, according to the Los Angeles Times, and it will allow local governments to pass ordinances concerning cultivation and sales.
"Several California cities have reported negative impacts to the public health, safety and welfare resulting from marijuana cultivation, processing and distribution activities, including offensive odors, illegal sales and distribution of marijuana, trespassing, theft, violent robberies and robbery attempts, fire hazards, and problems associated with mold, fungus, and pests," said a staff report from the City Council.
Some residents have expressed concern about the Newport Beach ordinance. Joseph Stack wrote in a letter to the City Council: "I am all in favor of protecting the community from drug abuse and I wouldn't advocate opening up a dispensary on every corner, but I am pretty sure there are residents in our city that can't get out of the house and have their prescription medications delivered to their home."
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