Sierra Madre Soon May Be Required to Allow Marijuana Dispensaries

Edito’s Note: In addition to Sierra Madre, Prop 64 passed in Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Gabriel and Alhambra.

Baldwin Ave and Sierra Madre Blvd in Sierra Madre (Photo – David P Robinson)

Sierra Madre soon may be required to allow marijuana dispensaries.

By David P. Robinson 

In 2016, 59% of Sierra Madre voters approved Prop 64 (Marijuana Legalization). There are no retail outlets in the City, however, because the law approved as Prop 64 states that a City government gets to decide if marijuana dispensaries will be allowed in the City.

State of California Assembly Bill 1356 would address the lack of retail marijuana stores.  Bill 1356 would require one store per 10,000 residents or one per four liquor stores; it would prohibit the City from banning marijuana retail outright.

Many cities have safety concerns about marijuana stores as cash only businesses. These businesses are cash only because Federal law prohibits marijuana use and the banking industry does not want the liability that might arise by providing services to dispensaries. This situation puts everyone at risk; retailers and customers could be victims of robbery attempts. There currently are bills in Congress that would fix the problem.

I feel that when the cash only aspect of the retail marijuana industry is fixed, there is no reason for citywide retail bans. Marijuana should be regulated the same as liquor stores. They all need to check IDs, provide security and keep children safe. Marijuana is legal in California and shouldn’t be subject to arbitrary bans.

David P. Robinson, a retired mid-manager for the City of Glendale, presently serves as a Commissioner of the Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Commission for the City of Sierra Madre, where he and his wife of forty-four years raised their family and have resided since 1988.