Kingsburg extends moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries

In November, Kingsburg City Manager Don Pauley said the city had received a request for a business license to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Kingsburg. The city passed an emergency ordinance then to keep that from happening. The rule gives the city time to make its own rules and regulations concerning the establishment or non-establishment of medical marijuana shops.

The emergency ordinance was in place for 45 days. The City Council held a public hearing Dec. 16 and unanimously approved extending the ordinance for 10 months and 15 days. The ordinance can be extended after that for one year.

The city of Fresno is currently litigating about the issues involving the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries in Fresno. On Oct. 28, an injunction prohibiting the sale or distribution of marijuana from medical marijuana dispensaries was issued by the Fresno County Superior Court. The trial is set for Jan. 19.

“Kingsburg is not the only city trying to decide from a legal standpoint what is legal and appropriate and not appropriate,” said Michael Noland, Kingsburg city attorney.