A proposed ordinance that would permit and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in Wildomar failed to generate much enthusiasm among city Planning Commissioners on Wednesday.
After listening to spirited testimony from 15 speakers, who were about evenly divided in favor and against the ordinance, the commission voted 4-0 to postpone consideration until its Aug. 4 meeting.
Before asking for the postponement, Commissioner Gary Andre expressed concerns about the legitimacy of marijuana as medicine and the effect of allowing legally permitted distribution shops.
If one business comes in legally, he said, "illegal facilities come in everywhere. That's the problem. How do we deal with that?"
Andre said the commission should put off making any decision, which would come in the form of a recommendation to the City Council.
"I'd like to see this put off to another date ... so Chairman Bob Devine could be here to weigh in," he said, because the chairman was absent.
The issue would have been put off a lot longer if a majority of commissioners had agreed with Commissioner Ben Benoit's suggestion of delaying it until after the November election, when California voters are expected to decide whether marijuana possession and use should be legalized.
The postponement disappointed William Sump, head of the Wildomar Patients Compassionate Group.
"That, in my opinion, is demonstrating a lack of responsibility among our elected officials," he said in an interview after the meeting.
He said he was also disturbed by the suggestion of putting consideration off until after the election.
"They're intertwining two concepts that aren't necessarily intertwined," he said, referring to the distinction between recreational use and the use of marijuana for its medical properties, including as a pain reliever and appetite stimulant.
"I think we should tread carefully and try to concentrate on getting the compassionate use of medical marijuana right, which hasn't happened in 14 years," he said.
The Compassionate Use Act of 1996, approved by a statewide vote, legalized the use of marijuana in California upon a doctor's recommendation.
Sump attempted to open what he termed a collective on Mission Trail in Wildomar in the spring, only to have it shut down within four days by city officials as a prohibited use.
However, the incident and several other proposals for medical-marijuana businesses led the City Council to take a look at the possibility of allowing such facilities and a majority of council members directed the city's staff to come up with a proposed ordinance based on one drafted by Laguna Woods officials.
Planning Director David Hogan told the commissioners Wednesday the draft ordinance came to them first because it involves land-use issues.
As proposed in the ordinance, dispensaries would have to get a permit approved by the city manager to operate, and they could only set up in zones where retail businesses and offices are allowed.
Dispensaries would have to open at least 1,000 feet from youth-oriented establishments such as schools, parks, sports facilities and day care centers and they would only be allowed to operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
About 60 people attended the meeting, with support and opposition among the speakers about even. Some supporters suggested the proposed ordinance was too restrictive as far as hours of operation, while most opponents said it shouldn't be adopted at all.
Call staff writer Michael J. Williams at 951-676-4315, ext. 2635.
