The city of Issaquah issued a temporary moratorium on marijuana gardens Monday, after a new state law made some allowances for them this spring.
It gives the city the opportunity to draft zoning rules, so the gardens don’t turn up in unwanted places, said Bob Harrison, the city administrator. “The city is not banning these items. They’re allowed under state law.”
Up to 10 medical marijuana patients can now band together to grow 45 plants in discreet areas, not visible from public right-of-ways.
The City Council has planned a public hearing on the moratorium at the their regular meeting 7:30 p.m., July 18 in council chambers.
Moratoriums are common in cities that are handed down new laws from the state, Harrison said.
The city’s actions didn’t come without dissent.
“This action highlights the city’s continued hostility toward medical patients,” wrote GreenLink staff in a statement. Greenlink is a resource center for marijuana patients, which helps patients get access to marijuana.
“GreenLink will continue to advocate for patients and will not allow the well-being of our patients to be second to the misguided personal agenda of a select few city officials,” according to the statement, which also suggested a moratorium won’t stop patients from getting the drugs.
Laws surrounding medical marijuana are confusing at best, because the drug is still illegal on a federal level.
Along with the gardens, Washington legislators passed a bill that would have legalized medical marijuana dispensaries, but Gov. Chris Gregoire vetoed that part of the bill.
The veto likely made operating dispensaries even more difficult, because now there is an official vote, Harrison said.
An original draft of the city’s moratorium also included drug dispensaries, but Council Member Fred Butler moved to remove dispensaries from the bill, because they’re already illegal.
So far, GreenLink has had little problem operating in the city as a non-profit collective. Issaquah’s main concerns have been how to issue a business license and safety.
