PHOTO BY JENNIFER COLTON
Despite public comment in favor of the measure, the Umatilla City Council did not approve a resolution establishing permits for medical marijuana dispensaries.
On Tuesday night, the council opened a combined public hearing on two proposed ordinances dealing with marijuana. One, Ordinance 804, would adopt a medical marijuana facility permitting process, and the second, Ordinance 805, prohibited medical marijuana and recreational marijuana processing sites.
Community members approached the pulpit for the hearing, and the response was almost all in support of medical marijuana facilities.
William McMillan, a former corrections employee with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, brought a bag of prescription medications he takes every day or every week for his condition. McMillan said his options for pain are Vicodin, Norco, alcohol or marijuana.
“Control it, regulate it, tax it,” he told the council. “Use the money for schools, whatever you need to do. My alternative is alcohol, and we all know what that does.”
Tammie Williams, a long-time registered nurse and member of the Umatilla County Planning Commission, also addressed the council. Williams said she supports medical marijuana because it does work for some patients, especially those who cannot afford prescription medications.
“It’s another option for people who have chronic pain,” she said. “I’m just asking that you would look at it, even on a trial basis.”
Multiple speakers mentioned the 600 medical marijuana card-holders in Umatilla County.
Steve Rodarte pointed to the safety and security of having a licensed, legitimate source for medical marijuana.
“Patients, when they go to the black market, they don’t know exactly what they’re getting. When they go to a state-regulated dispensary, everything is labeled and tested,” Rodarte said.
Boyd Sharp, Umatilla Planning Commission representative, asked the council to table the motions until the council met with the planning commission to iron out zoning concerns and where the dispensaries could be located.
“I, too, am in favor of medical marijuana dispensaries. I think we need it in our community. My question is where,” Sharp said.
Only one community member spoke out against the ordinances saying he sees no medical value in medical marijuana and if there is value, it should be regulated by pharmaceutical companies.
During the regular meeting, the council discussed the ordinances and put them to a vote.
One councilman, Mel Ray, vocally supported tabling the ordinance until after the council meets with the Planning Commission.
“I just think we’re opening a can of worms if we allow it before the regulations are in place,” Ray said.
On the vote, ordinance 804 failed its first reading, however, and was removed before the council had the option to table it. Mary Dedrick, George Fenton and David Lougee voted against it. Councilmen Mel Ray and Roak Ten Eyck voted in favor of the first reading, which would have allowed it to be tabled. Councilwoman Sharon Farnsworth was absent.
Ordinance 805 passed unanimously.
In his report, City Manager Bob Ward pointed out that the adoption of Ordinance 805 – the ban – means the city will not receive any law enforcement funds generated from the taxes on marijuana and could open the city to potential law suits.
In other business, the council:
• Declared a vacancy on the Code Improvement Board.
• Approved the renewal of an intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Oregon Department of Energy.
• Declared resolution 04-2016, relating to medical marijuana facility permit application and investigation fees, moot because the previous ordinance failed.
