Council candidates on medical marijuana: Martin Thouvenell
Martin Thouvenell, former Upland Police Chief:
QUESTION:
There have been several medical marijuana cooperatives open up and
shut down within the city over the past year. What is your stance on
medical marijuana and it's place in the city?
ANSWER: California voters approved, Prop 215, use of medical marijuana, and it is becoming clear Upland will have to modify its zoning ordinance to comply with State law. But that doesn't change the fact that there are problems connected with marijuana dispensaries. As we've seen in other cities, a lack of clear regulatory guidelines related to physician prescription, operation of the dispensaries, proliferation of dispensaries and collection of sales taxes can create problems for neighborhoods and for local government. For that reason, I believe city government should take a conservative approach while complying with state law. Zoning restrictions should ensure that a dispensary not be located in the vicinity of parks, the library, schools, recreation areas frequented by young people, another dispensary or residential neighborhoods. Also, to the extent possible, the city must ensure any dispensary located in Upland complies with the state requirement that dispensaries be operated as non-profit enterprises.
I can be reached at MartinThouvenell@yahoo.com if you have any questions or comments. Thank you for your support! www.martinthouvenell.org
I find it strange that if the assumption that "medical marijuana" has some medical benefits that it cannot be dispensed in accordance with the Uniformed Controlled Substances Act that governs such activity within the State. Why would "intelligent" politicians in Sacramento allow marijuana to be dispensed by non-professional "dealers" when a system to get medicine in the hands of patients is already in place -- and it is called a PHARMACY! Not to mention the fact that if you are willing to pay a "doctor" you can obtain a prescription for marijuana for almost any ill; real or imagined.
Also, I am concerned about the public health concerns of smoking and second-hand smoke. Didn't the Surgeon-General determine that smoking (cigarettes) causes cancer???? But apparently inhaling marijuana smoke has no similar affect??? My guess is that years down-the-road we will learn that smoke of any type inhaled into the lungs will cause medical problems.
It would appear that sanity and common sense (which is not all that common today) takes a backseat to the lay-persons "dealing" medical marijuana.