A Pullman City Council discussion on the regulation of medical cannabis collective gardens failed to generate public comment at a meeting Tuesday night.

The public hearing was held as a part of the moratorium adopted in a resolution prohibiting medical cannabis collective gardens in all Pullman zoning districts. The moratorium was adopted to give officials time to study and consider new regulations as authorized by state law.   

“(The council’s) role tonight is to take public comment on the moratorium,“ City Attorney Laura McAloon said. “The public comment can be taken on the adoption of the moratorium not on the state legislative action or federal laws.”  

On Aug. 30, Pullman City Council adopted a resolution declaring a moratorium prohibiting medical cannabis collective gardens in all zoning districts within the City of Pullman. Unless extended by further council action, the moratorium will expire on March 1, 2012. 

The Medical Marijuana Act, adopted in 1998, currently allows personal possession of qualifying patients of medical cannabis of a 60-day supply that is defined as 15 plants. A community garden is defined as 45 plants and can serve up to 10 qualified patients. 

According to the Association of Washington Cities(AWC), any use of marijuana, including medical use, remains prohibited under the federal Controlled Substances Act. In June 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a memo restating that possession of marijuana in any form remains illegal.  

McAloon said the final work-plan will be brought back for council approval at the next city council meeting with regard to findings of fact brought by public contribution. 

Councilman Barney Waldrop said no time should be taken to regulate the issue.  

“I see no reason for the city to regulate, consider regulating or expend valuable staff time on something that is already illegal by federal law,” Waldrop said. 

The council asked for public comment on the establishment of collective gardens for medical cannabis. No public opinion was stated. 

Side bar 

The council adopted a resolution encouraging the Gov. Chris Gregoire and legislature to consider methods of funding higher education outside of tuition increases to insure better access to higher education.

City Supervisor John Sherman said an issue of cuts in higher education that reduced state support by 50 percent was discussed in the joint meeting with the city council and ASWSU on Sept. 27. It was suggested that both groups consider passing resolutions in support of higher education funding. 

The proposed resolution urges the governor and the legislature to consider methods of funding higher education in other ways than continuing to increase tuition.