Memorandum 16-077 Support Retain Cannabis on the Spit

Memorandum 16-077

TO:                       MAYOR WYTHE AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                 CANNABIS ADVISORY COMMISSION  

THRU:                KATIE KOESTER, CITY MANAGER

DATE:                  MAY 2, 2016

SUBJECT:         RECOMMENDATION OF SUPPORT TO ALLOW RETAIL CANNABIS ON THE SPIT

At the regular meeting on April 28, 2016 the Cannabis Advisory Commission reviewed the Memorandum dated April 12, 2016 from the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission in support of allowing retail marijuana on the Spit.  The Cannabis Advisory Commission had this item on their February meeting agenda also.

Discussion points were:

- Safety concerns for first responders in relation to an extremely smoky environment

- Not allowing anything until state regulations are completed

- Allowing retail business to sell other consumables such as food and drink

- Allowing other forms of consumption except smoking such as vaping

The Cannabis Advisory Commission supports the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission’s recommendation in its entirety.

The excerpt of the minutes are attached for review.

Recommendation:

Allow Cannabis sales in the Marine Commercial District.

Following is the excerpt of the minutes regarding the discussion.

B. Cannabis Businesses on the Spit (This item was carried over from the February 25, 2016 meeting agenda)

  1. Memorandum from the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission dated April 12, 2016 re:

      Recommendation to Allow Retail Marijuana on the Spit

HARRIS/REYNOLDS – MOVD TO FORWARD A MOTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PORT AND HARBOR ADVISORY COMMISSION MTION TO ALLOW CANNABIS BUSINESSES ON THE SPIT.

There was a brief discussion in support of the motion.

VOTE. YES. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

Commissioner Harris would like to recommend that they do not limit the onsite consumption especially on the Spit. Commissioner Reynolds opined that they should be able to include that in the previous motion and requested clarification. The Clerk noted that they could amend the motion to address consumption.

REYNOLDS/CARROLL – MOVED TO IMMEDIATELY RECONSIDER THE PREVIOUS MOTION.

There was no discussion.

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNAIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

HARRIS/REYNOLDS – MOVED TO SUPPORT THE PORT & HARBOR ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO ALLOW CANNABIS BUSINESSES ON THE SPIT AND FURTHER RECOMMEND ALLOWING ONSITE NON-SMOKE CONSUMPTION IN ANY CANNABIS RETAIL BUSINESS ON THE SPIT OR IN THE CITY UNTIL STATE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN DECIDED AND APPROVAL OF HOMER POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF.

Commissioner Robl was opposed to onsite consumption due to the exposure to first responders and believes that will also be a major concern at the state level. There was further discussion on the ventilation system requirements and how the consumption of marijuana is conducted in various manners and that most popular is by vaping. Discussion also included the use of protection equipment but use of masks, Commissioner Robl added that Fire or EMT may be able to use face masks but that type of apparatus would impede a police officer by providing impairment to the peripheral version. It was noted that they would not move to allow the consumption until regulations were established at the State level.

REYNOLDS/CARROLL – MOVED TO AMEND ALLOWING RETAIL AND CONSUMPTION ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE SPIT THAT DID NOT ALLOW SMOKING OF CANNABIS.

There was a brief discussion on the process for the amendment to the motion, preferred combustion (vaping) of cannabis, applicants from Homer aware that they will allow consumption on site since it is being considered by the State to allow sales of food and drink other than cannabis related in the same location.

VOTE. (Amendment) YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

VOTE. (Main) YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.