City of Guadalupe says no to medical marijuana dispensaries

Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:58 PM by Monica Quintero
Updated: Mar 9, 2010 11:58 PM

The city of Guadalupe said it doesn't want medical marijuana dispensaries in its community now or ever. Tuesday night, the city council unanimously voted to permanently ban medical marijuana dispensaries in any zone of the city. The city put a temporary ban in place in May of last year. However, that is set to expire on May 8th.

Guadalupe is known as the gateway to the dunes but the city doesn't want to be known as the gateway to something else. Shirley Boydstun, Guadalupe resident, said, "We don't need the problems that marijuana could bring to the community." Boydstun sees eye to eye with the Guadalupe Police Department. It favored the ban. "There have been several instances noted in the reports of them being held up and just a little bit more crime, more activity around the dispensaries," said Boydstun.

But there are others who see it differently. Manuel Ramos has lived in the area since 1955. Ramos said, "I don't agree with the misuse of marijuana, those who smoke or do something bad with it. But for healing or some pain that some people need it, I'm for it. " Dave Fleishman, City Attorney, said, "I know that some other cities throughout California have regulated where medical marijuana dispensaries can be located such as distances from schools, residences and so on. Other cities like Guadalupe, have opted to take the supremacy of federal law and simply just ban the establishment of the business within the city limits."

Now that the first reading of the ordinance has passed, it looks like Guadalupe will join its neighbors in Santa Maria, Lompoc and Buellton. They have already passed permanent bans. This was the city council's first reading. Under California law, all ordinances require two readings but that's typically just a formality. The second reading will take place at the next city council meeting which is scheduled for March 23rd. If it passes again then, the permanent ban would go into effect 30 days later.