As part of the 2013 Vallejo City Council race United Democrats of Southern Solano County produced a candidates forum on October 3, 2013 at North Vallejo Community Center. This forum was open to the general public. This video clip shows the candidates talking about Medical Marijuana sales and use in Vallejo.
If the video doesn't appear in your browser visit YouTube: United Democrats Candidates Night Part 2 of 5
Vallejo approved a marijuana tax in November 2011. The previous City Council did not act on this and enact any regulatory structure to collect and license the dispensaries. (To the best of my knowledge.) Jump the fold for a little bit more about the issues.
United Democrats Candidates Nights on YouTube:
Part 1 of 5 - Vallejo Economic Development Strategic Plan
Part 2 of 5 - Medical Marijuana
Part 3 of 5 - Planning Department Permit Process and Fees
Part 4 of 5 - Municipal Equality Index
Part 5 of 5 - Measure B: Funding Commissions and Public Safety
Ever since since the passage of
California Proposition 215 (1996) cities have been testing the Federal Government in allowing, regulating, and taxing the dispensing of medical cannabis. Over the intervening years this lead to the gradual establishment of dispensaries in Vallejo. With the situation in 2010 & 2011 where numerous dispensaries were operating under a general business license and with no special zoning or special taxation. Vallejo approved a marijuana tax in November 2011 with the passage of Measure C. The vote was 13,982 Yes and 4,293 No to impose a marijuana tax.
Map of current dispensaries in Vallejo - Google Maps
The previous City Council did act on Measure C and enact any regulatory structure to collect taxes and license the dispensaries. Further, a number of dispensaries were shut down by the police and Federal officials. The arrests were not managed correctly or based on false information and the effected dispensaries have won their day in County Superior Court. And now are suing the City of Vallejo for millions.
So this brings me to the question for the candidates:
What is your position on Medical Marijuana sales and use in Vallejo:
a. What is the status of implementing that tax?
b. Should Vallejo have a consistent policy towards medical marijuana businesses?
c. What is your plan or vision for normalizing the medical marijuana issues in Vallejo?
What do you think about this issue? Please join Daily Kos and leave a comment, if you are not already a member.
For more information on the 2013 Vallejo City Council Race race see:
Vallejo City Council Race 2013 - Introduction
Vallejo City Council Race 2013 - Meme Warfare
Vallejo City Council Race 2013 - Category Collapse Disorder
Vallejo City Council Race 2013 - Jump Start Vallejo
Vallejo City Council Race 2013 - Cartoons & Correspondence
Vallejo City Council Race 2013 - Election Results
A bit about Vallejo by request:
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is the tenth most populous city in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is located on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay. Vallejo is named for General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo (the neighboring city of Benicia is named for his wife).
Vallejo is home to the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom theme park (formerly Marine World and Marine World Africa USA); the now-defunct Mare Island Naval Shipyard; the regional office for Region 5 of the United States Forest Service; the California Maritime Academy (part of the California State University system); the Vallejo Center campus of Solano Community College; and Touro University California, a graduate school offering programs in osteopathic medicine, education, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, and public health. Ferry service runs from a terminal on Mare Island Strait to San Francisco, through the BayLink division of SolTrans.
Vallejo has twice served as the capital of the state of California: once in 1852 and again in 1853, both periods being brief.[2] The State Capitol building burned to the ground in the 1880s and the Vallejo Fire Department requested aid from the Fire Department at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. As there were no bridges at that time, the Mare Island Fire Department had to be ferried across the Napa River, arriving to find only the foundation remaining. This was the first recorded mutual aid response in the state of California.
From Wikipedia: Vallejo, California
Regards,
Jonathan Gordon (linkage)
Vallejo Street Prophet
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of United Democrats of Southern Solano County, The Solano County Democratic Central Committee, California State Democratic Party, or the National Democratic Party.