By Deb Murphy
Voters within Bishop City limits approved Inyo County’s advisory measures on marijuana operations, both recreational and medical. However, those voters apparently don’t talk to the majority of the councilmembers.
The Council started the conversation on what, beyond the legality of personal use and cultivation defined by the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, the City would allow. The consensus was “very little.”
The purpose of the exercise was to come to a consensus and provide direction to City Counsel Ryan Jones. The next step will be the Planning Commission, then back to City Council.
Karen Schwartz led the charge to allow a broad range of activities, from commercial grow operations to testing and laboratories. “Let them (potential business owners) make the decision,” she said. “Things have changed. We’re not in a position to turn our backs on any business.”
The arguments were fairly consistent through the available options of what can be regulated by local entities: cultivation, processing and manufacturing, sales and distribution, delivery and transportation, testing labs, indoor greenhouse cultivation and outdoor cultivation.
Schwartz got agreement from a majority of the councilmembers on delivery/transportation—okay, as long as no money changes hands and the delivery services get a Bishop City business license; the only caveat on indoor or greenhouse cultivation was building codes had to be adhered to and outdoor cultivation for personal use was also okay as long as the plants were not visible from a public right-of-way.
The arguments from Councilmembers Laura Smith, Joe Pecsi and Pat Gardner seemed to hinge on constituent input. Councilmember Jim Ellis had input from both sides of the issue from voters.
First, commercial cultivation: Schwartz pointed out the size of those operations almost ruled out opportunities within the city limits so why bother regulating it. Smith wanted a ban in writing; Gardner assumed marijuana businesses wouldn’t be profitable in Bishop.
On processing and manufacturing: Schwartz saw a potential marketing potential, similar to craft breweries. “I lean toward Karen,” Ellis said, “but I don’t support retail operations. “I don’t see these businesses making soap,” said Smith. “It’s another substance that can be abused and create problems. I don’t want it.” Gardner said such businesses wouldn’t be profitable.
Sales and distribution fell flat. “There’s no reason to say no except for old stereotypes,” said Schwartz. But the rest of the members said “no.”
In terms of testing and laboratories, the Council seemed confused as to what that entailed. Pecsi had visions of meth labs and explosions. Ellis joined Schwartz in the minority on approving those activities.
The only public comment came from Chris Taylor, owner of McMurry’s Sports Bar. His slant was the potential for tax revenues. Plus, “You don’t have the right to say people can’t open certain kinds of businesses,” he said.
The County Board of Supervisors were scheduled to hear an update from staff on similar issues today.
Medical marijuana is very beneficial to many people, CBD in particular. CBD is non psychotropic, and is very good for anxiety, vertigo, restless leg and partial onset seizures. It is nice to have access to this non-habit forming alternative to big pharma.
wilderbeast….Last time I smoked pot,ran out of cigarettes,got into my truck to drive two blocks to the Mobil…..and after starting the truck and backing out of my driveway,decided to go back forward into my parking spot and make the two block walk to the store….hoping no one I knew would… Read more »
I know that when I smoke a blunt or two….My reactions when driving at 70mph are much better then when not loaded.
wilderbeast in wonderland, I’d bet the cost of a test course or simulator comparison you are wrong. Seriously, if you ever have a chance to be in a before and after smoking pot driving test, try it. You’d be more rare than a Wildebeest in Owens Valley if your driving… Read more »
Thing about this is,when the Proposition was passed,people thought this was going to be a California marijuana “free for all” going on in every town,every street,every neighborhood in California…..not so….there’s still got to be some laws and regulations regarding growing,selling,and use,including the DUI aspect of things to come….people,there’s still a… Read more »
Lower sometimes you sound like my mother in law.
“However, those voters apparently don’t talk to the majority of the council members.” The voters already spoke, by voting. The last time voters were told they do not know what is good for them and people on councils said they were not going to support what the voters said. The… Read more »
Sad that the city council is stuck in the old, outdated, reactionary conservative, anti-progressive ways of thinking. They’re OK with supermarkets selling alcohol, bars serving alcohol, and thereby producing all of the societal ills caused by alcohol: drunk drivers, domestic violence, and all the rest. But pot? Oh my!!! A… Read more »
Users can pick it up on the street, and avoid all the price increase, it all over i hear.
i guess when the people speak with thier vote, and win ,if it does not fit with some of the councils beliefs or morels, well these comfortable well off caucasion are our leaders and we should just get in line and quit voting, recall recall recall
I’m curious to know what people think about this. As the article mentions, people living in the City voted in favor of allowing recreational marijuana businesses to open in Inyo County. Also, for the Councilmembers’ information, marijuana is not nearly as harmful as meth in any way, nor other legal… Read more »
I don’t partake in drugs in any form, but I voted in favor of allowing marijuana in Inyo County, in part because I don’t feel the the compulsion to regulate other people’s behavior based on my personal beliefs. That’s the hypochloritesy of conservatives – they’re all about small government and… Read more »
Is hypochloritesy a word? Hypocrisy is.
I am very disappointed in our local law makers. With the exception of Karen Schwartz, they are very much out of touch with this issue. When it comes to labs and testing, Pecsi has visions of meth labs and explosions. Pat Gardner assumes marijuana businesses will not be profitable in… Read more »
Does our City Council realize a declared war on drugs , is a war declared on our own people? Hell, half of our local leaders probally just voted to legalize it. I did. And I choose not to smoke . Don’t be a hypochlorite . This new personal freedom effects… Read more »
DOn’t be a hypochlorite? Are you sure you chose not to smoke?