Voted out Mattawa council removes member

MATTAWA — Councilwoman Cheyenne Weedmark is no longer a member of the Mattawa City Council, voted out of her seat last Thursday by the remainder of the Council.

In another major decision, the Council voted to adopt an ordinance to regulate marijuana in the community either for medicinal or recreational purposes.

Weedmark was voted out by the Council because she started this year with three unexcused absences at Council meetings. City Clerk Robin Newcomb had said expulsion would be automatic after a third consecutive unexcused absence.

But the Council voted to expel her. Newcomb said earlier Weedmark has never given a reason for her absences this year or last.

According to Customer Service Clerk Jazmin Calvario, sitting in for Newcomb, the Council did not set a date for putting into motion the replacement process.

At the same time the Council adopted ordinance 17.58, “Marijuana Regulation,” it rescinded ordinance No. 17.42, “Medical Marijuana.” That put marijuana for any use under the same regulations.

The ordinance is lengthy and detailed. You may read it in its entirety or retrieve a copy at city hall.

The ordinance states that no person shall engage in a medical marijuana cooperative without first having obtained a valid and current registration from the city. This registration shall be in addition to any other registrations or permits required by state or federal laws. Such registration is non-transferable.

It states that no more than four qualifying patients or designated providers may become members of a cooperative, and all members must hold valid recognition cards. All members of the cooperative must be at least 21 years old.

The designated provider of a qualifying patient who is under 21 years old may be a member of a cooperative on the qualifying patient’s behalf.

“It is the intent of these regulations to ensure that state-licensed uses are located and developed in a manner that is consistent with the desired character and standards of the community and its neighborhoods,” the ordinance states.

It minimizes potential incompatibilities and impacts and protects the public health and safety and general welfare of the citizens of Mattawa.

Anyone who has had a medical or recreational marijuana operation will find no favor in this ordinance. They will not be recognized as having been legal.

The ordinance includes many definitions it would be wise for a potential marijuana merchant to review. Marijuana is defined as all parts of the cannabis plant whether growing or not.

Although collective gardens are allowed by the state, they will not be allowed by the City of Mattawa. Marijuana retailers and marijuana cooperatives will be kept at least one mile apart. Cooperatives will keep a distance of at least one mile.

And no cooperative shall be permitted within one thousand (l,000) feet of any public parks, playgrounds, recreation/community centers, libraries, child care centers, schools, game arcades and public transit centers.

Marijuana will be regulated in such a way as to control odors, and the means of doing that are spelled out in the ordinance. Visibility of marijuana facilities will also be controlled.