By Deb Murphy
No little, brightly-colored delivery econo cars or the equivalent of lunch wagons will be plying marijuana sales in the town of Mammoth. The Town Council nixed that idea at Wednesday evening’s meeting, beating the anticipated deadline to maintain local control over some aspects of the marijuana trade.
The vote was 4-0 in favor of the ban on mobile dispensaries or delivery services for Mammoth’s two dispensaries.
Town Attorney Andy Morris explained the urgency for Council to put the law in place. Gov. Jerry Brown has signed AB 266 legalizing mobile dispensaries and delivery for medical marijuana. Cities and counties have until the end of this calendar year to put laws in place to squash potential marijuana mobility.
According to Mammoth Police Chief Al Davis, there are safety issues with non-stationary sales. “It’s easier to keep tabs on a dispensary,” he said. The law also prohibits mobile dispensaries from out of the area, like Inyo County, as if that would ever happen, to ply their trade within Mammoth city limits.
It is assumed that some form of legalized pot will be on the November 2016 ballot. What that initiative will look like is anyone’s guess, according to Morris.
Councilmembers were interested in the possibility of levying taxes on dispensaries. Currently, Mammoth medical marijuana dispensaries pay sales taxes and are required to maintain a business license. That city tax would also have to go on the ballot. Councilman John Wentworth recommended the town wait until “we see what ends up on the (state) ballot.”
Morris reminded Council the Federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, as is heroin, and considers it illegal, though “the Feds are not going to step on states (that have legalized it) but it remains illegal.”
Mountain Watchdog….Thank you….When I moved here,I was involved in the tourist-rat-race for a while,making a little bit more $$$ than I do now working 8 hours + a day and dealing with customers,many SoCalers …but once I got my feet on the ground and a little bit ahead,decided it wasn’t for me…switched things up a bit,and now,the only “customers” I usually have to deal with are the tail-wagging customers dogs….much easier to deal with…
Here’s what those should do when they allow themselves to think that Inyo-Mono County is totally based on SoCal tourists and their $$$$….thinking the only way this area is going to “survive” is thinking and creating ways to bring in more tourism and the all-mighty dollar to the area…..get a job or run a business like I have…..0 % based on tourism….if Inyo-Mono County passed a law saying no more tourists to the area,I’d make no more ,no less than I’m making now….working the same kind of hours…same kind of work.Granted,I’m not getting rich,not living high off the hog,don’t drive a brand new truck,or have lots of money wasting away in the bank,but I’m able to make a decent living….and living where I want to live….with lots around here to do and enjoy,with semi-retirement coming soon..
Good for you, Low-Inyo. Sounds like you’re in good shape.
But the fact remains that many business rely entirely on the tourist dollar from Southern California tourists in a tourist-based community such as Mammoth Lakes. And as in the early days of the Great Depression, many small businesses are closing their doors. Then you have Mono County supervisors who slashed the salaries of all non-union County employees (saying it will save the taxpayer $$$) but left their own taxpayer-paid salaries intact. And the corruption continues unabated.
@Low-Inyo,
Unless you operate an internet business that relies solely on mail order customers from out of the area, then you do rely on the tourism based economy. Maybe you don’t need to deal directly with the tourists, but if your customers are locals, chances are MANY of them do rely on those tourist dollars. And if their incomes suffers, then you will eventually feel it too because they won’t be coming to you for your services or products.
Whether directly or indirectly, virtually every working person in the Eastern Sierra relies on the tourism based economy, at least to some extent.
Charles O.Jones….Nope,no internet business….I do yard maintenance…things people need and want done on a weekly and yearly basis….some customers do own business’,but unless their business goes totally bellie-up,which it won’t,they are still going to want their yards and lawns maintained…if things slow down with their business,and my hours do get cut,I’ll have two choices…either go get more customers….or come March,have my coming Social Security Retirement to make-up for it….like I said,not getting rich by any means,but able to make a living and enjoy life living in the Sierras’….and at my age,all I really want and need.
Businesses have been going belly up right and left in the Eastern Sierra for 100+ years. And when times get tough, discretionary spending (such as hiring out yard maintenance) will be among the first things people eliminate. So I’m not sure why you feel so insulated from the impacts of the larger regional economy.
Regardless, kudos to you for creating a business that has allowed you to live a lifestyle that you enjoy.
Mountain Watchdog….I was coming to the Sierras’ for 31 years before I moved up here 16 years ago,and honestly,I don’t see what your saying….The Walker still rushes in the Spring and trickles in the Fall…Robinson Creek Campground up in Bridgeport-Twin Lakes still has deer coming into the campgrounds…Convict Lake still sells those colorful hat-pins….you can hike a different trail in the Alabama Hills everyday of the year if you’d like….as this World plays out with the next two generations left….maybe,the way things are going, just one left….things aren’t going to change much up here…haven’t in the past 47 years….but I guess if you want to place a $$$$ value on all of it,based on what the SoCal tourists want,demand, and expect,you can sadly go for it…
Trouble, and those rock climbers buy energy bars and bring their own tents. Not much for the local businesses to profit from.
I know Mountain, but at least they have personality.
And they will be back with their kids and staying in motels in a decade.
Ya Randy, but by that time the parents are in total denial about their true past and the kids relize their parents are total nerds.
Mountain Couchdog,
Climbers, mountaineers, hikers, backcountry skiers, etc. support a big portion of Main Street, Bishop and beyond. Manor Market, Burger Barn, Great Basin Bakery, Eastide sports, Gear Excange, Sage to Summit, Looney Bean. Black Sheep Roasters, etc. seem to be sell more than a few energy bars to their climbing clients. Not to mention all the people who take jobs here and pay rent or buy property to be able to enjoy the backcountry.
Do you realize how many good doctors, nurses and teachers live here only because they are ski and rock bums?
Good to hear the area no longer needs any $$$ from Southern California yuppies in their BMWs.
Who needs ’em? Right?
@mountainwatchdog
Yeah, those climbers are just hippies living in tents. Tell that to Eastside Sports, The Gear Exchange, Sage to Summit, the new Brewery, Black Sheep, and the Hostel that’s always full. Or what I see as the newest and most successful businesses in downtown Bishop right now (except for Eastside Sports, which led the charge 30 years ago).
Seems to me like some people see an economic opportunity in all those climbers….
These establishments also seem to have the best art and live music most of the time. Maybe the climbing culture might fill that cultural gap in our downtown, too.
Too many businesses are closing antoniolupi.
Why do you suppose this is?
I’m not disagreeing with you that our economy is struggling, I’m just saying rock climbers are too soon discounted as beneficially contributing to our local economy.
Why are too many businesses closing? Probably lots of reasons, starting with Pine Creek Mine closing years ago, people being able to access a greater selection of goods through the internet, a lingering recession, our remoteness generally…
Here’s a different question: how can we capitalize on the the unique assets we have to build a stronger economy and community?
And just to bring it around full circle: Is medical marijuana an economic opportunity?
Ok Antonio, your probably closer to being right. But I’d target the old drunk fishermen over your stoned rock climbers any day of the year! 🙂
Low-Inyo … the future of the Sierra evolves around $$$. And there is not enough of that comes from worms and hooks. The people with $$$ want and demand much more than that. Believe it or not – this is what runs the country and the world. It’s the way capitalism works. Sorry if this offends you.
I don’t know Mountain, I see a whole lotta rock climbers hanging out in Bishop. Most of them seem to be living out the old hippie dreams as far as I can see. But I do agree, we are geared up as a tourist trap.
Mountain Watchdog……Go fishing up to Twin Lakes,Bridgeport….maybe onto Walker and enjoy the West Walker River…Lundy Lake and Canyon would be a good place to stop and camp a night or two on the way back to where you live and work…then maybe on the next trip down to Lone Pine and hike around the Alabama Hills for the day…plenty to do and see…plenty of art and culture….and able to enjoy even if you don’t have a bong full of pot on the center consoule of your vehicle.
Let’s face it. There really isn’t a hell of a lot to do in the Sierra (especially this time of year) so a lot of long-term and short-term residents like to fire ’em up.
Mountain Watchdog….Are you kidding me ?…….nothing to do in the Sierras’ ?….I’ve seen others say that too,and when it’s said,99 % of the time it’s on some “marijuana”story….usually when it pertains to legalizing it for everyone…and done by someone that acts as if smoking weed with a bunch of guys offers some type of joyful recreation in this other-wise “boring,downbeat place to live”……newsflash,buddy….there are many people in the big cities that would offer their souls to live up here,with PLENTY of things to do and enjoy…even those that choose to light up a joint now and then…but maybe not for those that indulge in weed every hour of every day,basing their lives around getting high,and seeking the life-style and the type of people that go along with that type of behavior.
Low-Inyo – When I say there’s not much to do in the Sierras, I’m referring to things pertaining to art and culture. There simply is not many means for a lot of people who require these traditional values in society. To many people, sitting around getting high and talking trash to each other is their culture. This is the way it is in remote areas for the most part where not a whole lot is offered or available. It is the primary reason why so many move away after a period of time.
Gary Trotman….That IS how some think…if it’s not allowed,not only is it a violation of someone’s rights,but also would allow Law Enforcement to spend their time and resources on the “real criminals”…..not the ones that are indulging in the “victim-less” crimes,such as drugs and their drug abuse…there are many that think ALL illegal drugs should be legalized,trying to say the only person they are hurting is themselves….never mind the people they steal from,live off,abuse and use so they can continue their habit without having to work.
Repeating the same old lies to keep the war going. The lies will never change the truth that is why regardless of all the shouting about the evil weed you will still loose.
I say let free people be free.
We must vote these lying dinosaurs out and anyone that supports the failed war on the people.
LEGALIZE EVERYTHING .
YEAH MAN ! BOSS, FAR OUT, GROOVY.
WHY NOT JUST GRAB YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND DO IT IN THE ROAD.
I am not a fan of “legalize everything”. I just think after over 70 years of lies it is time we all tell the truth. Once the truth is told, it is a crime to continue to tell the same old lies knowing it is no longer fact but fiction.
Marijuana is not the evil drug that we were told it was. The real evil is demonizing the millions of good people that use it because of out right lies told by the government in the early 1930s.
You should be allowed to do it in the road Gary. BELIEVE me , I won’t watch!
Geeezzzz!!!….With all the problems in this world and Country today,here the topic of concern is legalizing mobile pot shops….in Mammoth of all places….can see it now…the local taco-stand on the corner of the quick-stop….here you have a stand selling fruits and vegetables across the street…and cati-corner to that,a mobile “pot-shop” selling their “medicine” to all those that are suffering with horrible life-altering ailments…little wonder why this generation now could very well be the last one on this planet….if the other World super-powers and dangerous third-world Countries see and here of this,I’m betting they are and will be licking their chops…if anyone thinks this might be a good idea,or feel marijuana should be totally legalized to all,buy yourselves some real good bud….take a few hits,then hop in your vehicle and go for a drive..or for that matter,just try to properly function…and see if it’s such a good idea after all.
Mammoth Police Chief Al Davis – “It’s easier to keep tabs on a dispensary,” he said. The law also prohibits mobile dispensaries from out of the area, like Inyo County, as if that would ever happen, to ply their trade within Mammoth city limits.
I’ll inform the Chief
– BREAKING NEWS CHIEF & TOML –
it is already happening.
http://www.palscollective.com/
“MEDICAL MARIJUANA DELIVERY”
A Non-Profit Collective for Bishop and the Surrounding Eastern Sierra
I love the “Surrounding Eastern Sierra” does that mean Mammoth too?
Whats the plan on stopping mobile deliveries to Mammoth again?
Someone should inform the City of Bishop that Mammoth banned deliveries from this delivery service…..
Not legal ones anyway.
PROABITION will end shortly. So please be patient with these silly new laws.
prohibition pro hi bi tion live it learn it love it