Pierce County Asks for a Re-Vote on Legal Marijuana
Last week the
Pierce County Council voted 4 to 3 to lift the ban on recreational marijuana
businesses in unincorporated Pierce County. Finally, after 55% of Pierce County
residents voted to legalize marijuana in 2012, the people’s voice would be
heard. The medical marijuana patients who will soon rely on the I-502 system
would have safe and affordable access as promised by the Washington State
Legislature in 2015. The so called “black market” would close its doors, and
all the crooks selling marijuana would magically go away, as the politicians
proudly promised. But, Wait! Hold on!
Councilwoman Joyce McDonald, and the rest of the Republicans on the
Council, had to have one more vote. After the ban resolution passed, an amendment
was passed on party lines, 4 to 3, to have an “advisory vote” in April of 2016.
It is simply a re-do of the 2012 I-502 vote. The Tacoma News Tribune reports
this vote will cost upwards of $400,000. However, the vote is non-binding. So
in fact, it is only a very very expensive poll. This while an estimated 80 so
called “unregulated medical marijuana shops” are still operating in the county.
These will have to be shut down by July 1, 2016. The big question remains “Will
the Council get this sorted out in order for medical marijuana patients to have
access after July 1?” And, if they don’t. “What will happen to medical marijuana
patients do if they cannot access there medicine?”
