Medical marijuana debate heats up in Gonzales

Medical marijuana in Gonzales sparked debate at Monday night’s city council meeting. It was supposed to be a meeting to update city leaders on the future of medical marijuana in the city but instead became a town hall for residents to share their concerns.

“Don’t let these people here put this marijuana in our city,” one man said to city leaders during public comment.

They listened as one after another spoke out.

“All over the schools they’re saying drug free, no drugs, but yet we’re
allowing this? There’s a double standard here,” said another resident.

Still city leaders have a decision to make and not much time to do it.

Starting March 1, 2016 cities and counties that don’t have regulations on the books will be subject to state law.

“In order for us to do that we need to do something by the end of January
2016,” said Gonzales City Manager Rene Mendez.

Mendez said council has directed staff to move forward on two medical marijuana ordinances.

“One was to bring back an ordinance to ban dispensaries … The other
portion of that is to bring back an ordinance to regulate cultivation
facility or growing facility,” said Mendez.

If they were to allow a growing facility, how would they regulate it? To learn more, city leaders did approve a $7,500 study.

Good news for those residents who rely on medical marijuana.

“I am one of those patients, I broke my neck. It was the reason why I don’t
have to take pharmaceutical drugs. Those drugs that kill your liver,” said one resident.

Because there has been so much interest on this topic, there will be a formal community meeting Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Council Chamber on Fourth Street.