"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #901, February 26, 2021
Issue #901, February 26, 2021
Mayor Les Peterson explained that this was the first reading and discussion of a proposed amendment of the Carefree Town Code to protect health, safety, and welfare by prohibiting the use, possession, sale, and smoking of marijuana on publicly owned of controlled property, and only allowing recreational marijuana sales within a medical marijuana facility holding a dual license. A second reading was required and would be held during the March meeting. "This is a very important subject."
Stacey Bridge-Denzak explained that Proposition 207 legalized recreational marijuana in the November election, with Carefree split about 50/50. Why is this important? It is important to preserve the public peace, health, and safety of the Carefree community but not dismiss the potential revenue implications, to allow time to understand the effect of legalized recreational marijuana in the Valley, and if needed, to adjust the Town Code accordingly, and to align the Town Code with the current State regulations.
This proposed amendment does not affect the private rights of those over the age of 21 to consume marijuana or to have plants in their homes, within the State limitations. The new law gives towns and cities a lot of liberty to regulate use, from prohibiting it outright, all the way to allowing it freely in their jurisdiction, and everything in between. Carefree was looking at a compromise that protected the residents, the businesses, and the values of what's important to Carefree, but they don't want to dismiss outright the potential value in this. It's too early to tell what the impacts are.
In summary: The Ordinance prohibits the smoking of marijuana in public places as defined in the Smoke-free Arizona Act, authorizes only State licensed medical marijuana dispensaries to operate as dual licensees, as many other municipalities have done, and establishes penalties for violations.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher saw that the issue of home deliveries was in the Council packet and asked how Carefree would manage deliveries to homes. Would delivery people need to be licensed? Mrs. Bridge-Denzak replied that it had been considered but that it would be very difficult to regulate and enforce, particularly in a town like Carefree that has only one Code Enforcement Officer, not an entire police department. Even with a police department, that is difficult to enforce. After careful consideration, she had removed the issue of home deliveries from the Ordinance but had forgotten to remove it from the Council packet.
Mayor Peterson noted that there is only one medical marijuana dispensary in the immediate area, and it is in Cave Creek. He asked Town Attorney Mike Wright if there is a mileage prohibition limiting proximity. Mr. Wright explained that only early applicants are in line to get a license. In order to get a recreational marijuana license, one must already have a medical marijuana dispensary license, and there are very strict rules that must be met in order to get one of those. According to the Arizona Department of Health, there are 89 applicants, none of which are in Carefree. The dispensary in Cave Creek is one of the applicants for a recreational license. Someone could apply in Carefree, but they would be required to have the dual license, so the prospect of getting a dispensary in Carefree is pretty slim.
Vice Mayor John Crane said he thought the Ordinance struck a good balance between what was allowed and how we want our town to operate. "Good job, Stacey."
Mayor Peterson said that public comments would be accepted via email to Kandace@carefree.org
https://vimeo.com/507812658
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Stacey Bridge-Denzak explained that Proposition 207 legalized recreational marijuana in the November election, with Carefree split about 50/50. Why is this important? It is important to preserve the public peace, health, and safety of the Carefree community but not dismiss the potential revenue implications, to allow time to understand the effect of legalized recreational marijuana in the Valley, and if needed, to adjust the Town Code accordingly, and to align the Town Code with the current State regulations.
This proposed amendment does not affect the private rights of those over the age of 21 to consume marijuana or to have plants in their homes, within the State limitations. The new law gives towns and cities a lot of liberty to regulate use, from prohibiting it outright, all the way to allowing it freely in their jurisdiction, and everything in between. Carefree was looking at a compromise that protected the residents, the businesses, and the values of what's important to Carefree, but they don't want to dismiss outright the potential value in this. It's too early to tell what the impacts are.
In summary: The Ordinance prohibits the smoking of marijuana in public places as defined in the Smoke-free Arizona Act, authorizes only State licensed medical marijuana dispensaries to operate as dual licensees, as many other municipalities have done, and establishes penalties for violations.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher saw that the issue of home deliveries was in the Council packet and asked how Carefree would manage deliveries to homes. Would delivery people need to be licensed? Mrs. Bridge-Denzak replied that it had been considered but that it would be very difficult to regulate and enforce, particularly in a town like Carefree that has only one Code Enforcement Officer, not an entire police department. Even with a police department, that is difficult to enforce. After careful consideration, she had removed the issue of home deliveries from the Ordinance but had forgotten to remove it from the Council packet.
Mayor Peterson noted that there is only one medical marijuana dispensary in the immediate area, and it is in Cave Creek. He asked Town Attorney Mike Wright if there is a mileage prohibition limiting proximity. Mr. Wright explained that only early applicants are in line to get a license. In order to get a recreational marijuana license, one must already have a medical marijuana dispensary license, and there are very strict rules that must be met in order to get one of those. According to the Arizona Department of Health, there are 89 applicants, none of which are in Carefree. The dispensary in Cave Creek is one of the applicants for a recreational license. Someone could apply in Carefree, but they would be required to have the dual license, so the prospect of getting a dispensary in Carefree is pretty slim.
Vice Mayor John Crane said he thought the Ordinance struck a good balance between what was allowed and how we want our town to operate. "Good job, Stacey."
Mayor Peterson said that public comments would be accepted via email to Kandace@carefree.org
https://vimeo.com/507812658
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.