Community meeting on medical marijuana sparks debate in Salinas

The debate over medical marijuana sparked conversation in Salinas Monday. More than 50 people packed city hall for a community meeting about the future of the drug in Salinas.

“We are looking for something for medical cannabis. This is for patients and for our use that are patients,” said one lady in favor of medical marijuana.

Thecity’s Medical Marijuana Subcommittee listend as people spoke both for and against dispensaries.

One lady in favor of medical marijuana still had concerns about its access for children. “You guys need to make everything child proof because it is medicine. Medicine comes in a child proof container,” she said.

One man commented on how easily available the drug already is in the area. He said. “It’s obtainable everywhere. You can ask so and so, ask Jose for a joint, you can get it.”

Mayor Joe Gunter said the city is in the process of trying to sort through all the comments and suggestions.

“We’ve got to figure out how to regulate it. How do we do what’s right for the whole community? Do we have a clinic in every district? Do we have one? What do we do?” said Gunter.

In August, the city temporarily prohibited medical marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and distribution to give it time to figure out those plans.

Gunter said they’re also anticipating the legalization of recreational marijuana in California.

“This is our opportunity to get ahead of that issue and not be sitting here wishing we had taken some action or talked about it, so we can at least have regulations in place to protect the citizens and city,” said Gunter.

City leaders said there’s still a lot to consider. They need to figure out how much they want to tax the product and where that money will go. Also, they need to decidehow many dispensaries will be allowed in the city and where they can be built in relation to places like schools and parks.

For more information on what the city has done so far, click here.