Monterey moves to ban medical marijuana grows and deliveries

Monterey is one step closer to banning medical marijuana grows and deliveries in the city. This comes as the state is set to take over local laws on pot, if cities don’t create their own. On Tuesday, NewsChannel 5 investigated Monterey’s decision and how local residents are responding.

Even though Monterey city leaders took the first step to ban medical marijuana grows and delivery, they stress this is not a ban on smoking medical marijuana within the city limits.

The grass is not always greener on the other side, especially if that side is Monterey.

“The council again voted last night to prohibit cultivation by anyone in our city and to continue to prohibit delivery into our city,” Monterey Planning Chief Chip Rerig said

The city said this decision was needed before next March.

“The state legislature passed legislation that requires us to take action or those services would only be regulate at the state level,” Rerig said.

In order to prevent the state from taking the lead, the city decided to focus on cultivation and delivery of medical marijuana, since there’s already have a ban in place for dispensaries.

“It really comes down to home rule. I mean it’s really our council’s position that want to be in control of regulating uses rather than relying on the state to regulate such uses,” Rerig said.

Despite California being one of the first states to legalize medical marijuana, finding pot shops in the area is proving difficult. There’s one dispensary in Del Rey Oaks and one delivery service in Monterey County. Some feel those stats make it hard for loved ones to get the medicine they need.

“I think that it’s bad for the people who are sick, who have diabetes. Honestly I have family members who are diabetic, and they count on marijuana because it is a pain reliever,” Pacific Grove resident Joaqui said.

“Medical marijuana is way better than taking prescription drugs. I’ve personally had friends that had cancer. My best friend’s wife went through breast cancer and she definitely needed it,” Monterey resident Tim said.

If Monterey passes this ban a second time, it will take effect 30 days later. What’s interesting, even if the ban on deliveries passes, the city said residents could still have it brought to you by a care provider.