Lodi Council sends letter to Bureau of Cannabis Control
Despite the popularity of California Proposition 64, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, which was passed in November of 2016, Lodi City Council voted in favor of requesting communication from the League of California Cities, pressing the Bureau of Cannabis Control and the newly proposed regulations.
After the passage of Proposition 64, there is still too much left to be understood that worries the Lodi City Council, who have taken a staunch approach to expressing the disapproval of the passage. In a special city council meeting on Thursday evening, they voted to send a formal grievance, along with several cities, because of the adjustments made by the Bureau of Cannabis Control.
The council wrote a letter to Lori Ajax, chief of the Bureau of Cannabis Control concerning the proposed revisions to the proposition. Previously there was a stipulation in the proposition that allowed “local governments” to regulate the limitations on cannabis deliveries and the timelines to review license applications, and provisionary amendments made by the Bureau
Under the first provision of section 5416 (d) Removal of Limitations on Cannabis Deliveries: “local governments” are no longer able to restrict the delivery of cannabis, and cannabis products, according to the letter, “this would mean that it strips local governments of the ability to prohibit cannabis deliveries, and prevents local governments from regulating deliveries.”
Overstretch that this poses on local governments operates it in direct contrast to the language of the propositions intent as it was posed at the time of voting, according to the letter. “It was understood by California’s voters, that Proposition 64 preserved local control, regarding the delivery of cannabis,” as stated in the letter.
In the letter, Lodi City Council is quoted as stating, “This provision undermines the very foundation of local control and imposes a ‘one size fits all’ form of cannabis regulation. Instead (it) creates a new cannabis policy outside of the legislative process”
The second addition, located in section 5002(c) (28)The Timelines for Adequate Local Government Review, was
changed from a 60-day review to a 10-day review. The shift in dates allotted for review hinder the process in which it can properly be reviewed and decisions can be rendered, regarding the adjustments and additions made by local governments, according to the letter.
The various revisions, “are far more than technical and clarifying.” it suggested through the letter that “the Bureau of Cannabis Control is limiting the opportunity for the public to provide feedback.”
In a statement made in the address put forward by Mayor Alan Nakanishi, it is “For these reasons, the City of Lodi respectfully opposes these regulations until such time as they are revised or removed to address the concerns listed above. We look forward to continued opportunities to comment on specific regulatory proposals”.