Everett, medical pot patients clash on proposed ordinance
EVERETT, Wash. -- A fight over medical marijuana erupted on Tuesday when some medical pot patients took to the street to protest the city's proposed zoning restrictions for dispensaries.
The ordinance would give the city power to declare medical marijuana providers a nuisance and shut them down.
On Tuesday the protesters hoped at least a few Everett City Council members might hear their arguments.
"This is a safe plant. And when used properly, it's not a threat to anybody," said a medical marijuana patient who only wished to be identified as Ben.
City leaders say they feel a potential threat from the federal government that still classifies pot as an illegal drug.
"We want to make sure we are honoring state law. We also want to make sure that the federal law is not going to put us in a bad situation," said Everett city spokesperson Kate Reardon.
According to those who provide medical marijuana, however, the city is creating a bad situation by forcing so-called collective gardens to locate only in industrial zones and away from neighborhoods.
"Why is is fair for someone in Seattle or Shoreline to have that right, or the corner store, when these people in Everett can't?" said Jeremy Kelsey of the Medical Marijuana Patients' Network. "It's just not fair."
Kelsey says Everett's moratorium on providers forced him to leave the city and set up shop in Mukilteo, where he has encountered no problems. He says he's disappointed Everett city leaders still want to put restrictions on medicinal marijuana.
"It's really sad these politicians are not seeing the benefit to these patients, to these citizens of their towns and cities," he said.
But the city says its ordinance, which ends the moratorium and allows providers to open freely in certain areas, is a step forward.
"We do believe this proposed ordinance provides a balance for people who need a collective garden as a resource," said Reardon.
The change isn't enough in the eyes of patients and providers.
The Everett City Council will take public comment on the issued during its meeting scheduled on Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. The council may vote on the proposed ordinance to restrict areas where medical pot providers can operate.
The ordinance would give the city power to declare medical marijuana providers a nuisance and shut them down.
On Tuesday the protesters hoped at least a few Everett City Council members might hear their arguments.
"This is a safe plant. And when used properly, it's not a threat to anybody," said a medical marijuana patient who only wished to be identified as Ben.
City leaders say they feel a potential threat from the federal government that still classifies pot as an illegal drug.
"We want to make sure we are honoring state law. We also want to make sure that the federal law is not going to put us in a bad situation," said Everett city spokesperson Kate Reardon.
According to those who provide medical marijuana, however, the city is creating a bad situation by forcing so-called collective gardens to locate only in industrial zones and away from neighborhoods.
"Why is is fair for someone in Seattle or Shoreline to have that right, or the corner store, when these people in Everett can't?" said Jeremy Kelsey of the Medical Marijuana Patients' Network. "It's just not fair."
Kelsey says Everett's moratorium on providers forced him to leave the city and set up shop in Mukilteo, where he has encountered no problems. He says he's disappointed Everett city leaders still want to put restrictions on medicinal marijuana.
"It's really sad these politicians are not seeing the benefit to these patients, to these citizens of their towns and cities," he said.
But the city says its ordinance, which ends the moratorium and allows providers to open freely in certain areas, is a step forward.
"We do believe this proposed ordinance provides a balance for people who need a collective garden as a resource," said Reardon.
The change isn't enough in the eyes of patients and providers.
The Everett City Council will take public comment on the issued during its meeting scheduled on Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. The council may vote on the proposed ordinance to restrict areas where medical pot providers can operate.
ahhh  social conservativism...
Why don't any of you do research and fight fre with fire? IF you people fighting city hall would just take and do two things you could beat city hall.
Â
Step 1. Study the Washington State Constitution ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, at SECTION 12 SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES PROHIBITED. With the City Hall making the chioce they have they have over stepped their rights by violating yours. I was raided for running a medical marijuana Dispensary in Colfax even with it being allowed for in Seattle. I fought my case and within the next two weeks the D.A. will have to drop the case and I start on my 3.5 Mil. civil case.
Â
You people in Everett need to do the same thing, sue City hall for violations of your rights under Section 12. If you don't take action but for waiving signs they will win.
Not even registering on my âgive a damnâ meter
Interesting..... official scumbags wish to continue turning the screws on medical marijuana patients.... How many more times will these busy bodies push those who seek a natural medicine around?
Haha. North ghetto trying to be proper.
Its so cute how Everett thinks its important enough to warrant the attention of the federal government. Im sure that when Obama said that he wasnt going to go after pot, he was actually plotting a secret invasion of .... Everett.
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Local police have jurisdiction over local laws, not over Federal laws. The feds would have to use all of their resources without the aid of local enforcement. Stop the hype. The war on drugs is an everlasting losing battle. Over a trillion spent with nothing to produce. Law enforcement, President Carter, and President Clinton support legalizing, and regulating drugs. For the countries that have legalized it, neighboring countries have more drug use. America has 25% of the world's incarceration. 80% non violent and drug related. America is about liberty, not stupidity. Allow me to make my choices, love who I want, and do what I want responsibly. Ignorance breeds anger. Why does the DHS own patents on cannabis? Maybe you should actually read, stay away from the idiot tube, and while you're at it, read the Constitution.
 @Hueski Tell that to the progressive Democrats and their war on poverty. it has spent more money and is a total loss.
@Maynard G Krebbs @Hueski Quite possibly the dumbest comment of the day. Congrats!
Dear Ben,
When it's used irresponsibly it is still safe. Now please, now more public speaking you're not helping.
Is the fact that pot was recently LEGALIZED completely lost on the city of Everett? Â Get with the times. Â Especially since the collectives are generally so nondescript that they probably would only even be noticed by those actively looking for them.
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 @seattleemt What Sylvy said.
 @seattleemt  @TheCommentAboveMeIsProbablyMoronic Did the fact that Obama stated publicly that they would not be wasting resources by going after marijuana issues in states that have legalized it get lost on you?
Obama said he "wouldn't go after recreational marijauna users in Washington and Colorado."Â He said nothing about growers or distributers.
@Sylvy @seattleemt @TheCommentAboveMeIsProbablyMoronic Perhaps you might want to check history. Obama said he wouldn't go after dispensaries complying with State law, but he did anyhow.
Everett seems to have come out of Snotty's beaming machine with its butt on backward ala President Skroob.