Submitted by Councilmember Richard Bailey
Last week the City Council voted 4-1 to ban dispensing, cultivation and delivery of medical marijuana within our city – I voted against the ban. This vote was in effort to regulate medical marijuana before a state law goes into effect in March 2016.
Given the sensitive nature of the topic I feel it is important to explain why I voted against the ban. While I understand the majority’s apprehension about dispensary and cultivation, I could not support banning deliveries of a prescription drug. The fact is that many in our community, whether they are suffering from cancer, PTSD, or some other illness, are already using medical marijuana and some members of our community are already having their prescriptions delivered to their homes. Anyone who has ever cared for a cancer patient knows that it can require a tremendous effort just to get out of bed. I have heard several personal stories from Coronadans who have cared for sick family and friends that relied on home deliveries for their medication and I could not support eliminating the delivery of a prescription drug for patients that are too sick to travel to San Diego.
Despite the use and deliveries of medical marijuana already occurring in Coronado, we have yet to receive one complaint from the community.
In my opinion, prescriptions should be left between patients and their doctors. I do not believe the city should have a say in whether a patient picks up their prescription from a pharmacy or has it dropped off at their home via a commercial delivery service or otherwise; that decision should be determined by the patient and his or her own set of circumstances.
To me, this issue boils down to compassion for those that are ill and making it as easy as possible for those in need of medication to obtain it.
There is still time for the City Council to reverse the previous vote on deliveries. If you would like to share your opinion with the Council please email our city clerk at [email protected] and your message will be forwarded to the entire Council.
If you have any questions about my position feel free to contact me directly.
Councilmember
Richard Bailey
619.335.7315
[email protected]
