The City of Ripon made it clear that medical marijuana dispensaries are off limits.
City Council recently approved an ordinance banning “the delivery of medical marijuana.”
According to City Attorney Tom Terpstra, who noted that the Medical Marijuana Safety Act give Ripon the ability to prohibit the dispensaries.
The current ordinance allows yet limits the cultivation and possession of medical marijuana. Recent changes to state law prohibit the “delivery” of the drug within city limits.
Terpstra said that MMRSA makes up three legislative state bills.
“The MMSRA allows for state regulation of certain issues relating to medical marijuana while preserving local control over licensing and permitting, cultivation, and taxes and fees,” he said in his report to elected leaders.
In order to do so, Ripon along with other local agencies must have an ordinance in place on or before March 1, 2016.
Council, in turn, agreed to waive the first reading and introduce the ordinance, voting 5-0 at the November meeting.