Emotions ran high, morals were tested, and humanity was questioned at the January 12, Temecula City Council meeting. 

A public hearing was held regarding the addition of an ordinance to prohibit the cultivation of marijuana in the city. If passed as written, residents who use marijuana for medical reasons would have to purchase cannabis from a dispensary and would be prohibited from cultivating the plant at home. 

Governor Jerry Brown signed into law three bills this year that address the regulation of marijuana. 

Assembly Bill 243 includes a provision stating cities without an ordinance regulating or prohibiting cultivation by March 1, 2016, will lose the authority to regulate or ban cultivation within their city limits.

Temecula city council held a public hearing in order to pass an ordinance before the March deadline and maintain local control over the use of marijuana in their community 

Read: Temecula City Council Agenda 

The public hearing was a topic of discussion on social media sites earlier in the week by residents who use and cultivate marijuana for medicinal purposes. Their online discussion led to a decision to unite and share their personal stories with city council on their need to cultivate the plant. 

At the public hearing, Temecula resident, John Lawrence told the council, “I am on a fixed income. If I cannot grow my own marijuana I cannot afford my medicine.” 

Another resident shared with council his story on battling a cyst on his spine near his brain. Doctors loaded him up on multiple painkillers. Over time, he was taking a lot of pills and still in pain. He ended up throwing away all his medication after trying a brownie laced with marijuana. 

A resident told council they believe the plant was placed earth for a reason and they begged council to not take away their medicine. 

Another Temecula resident, Diana Serrano shared with council cat scan photos of her mother’s cancer before taking cannabis oil and after. 

“Before my mom got cancer I only thought of weed as a drug. Then my mom got sick and I see what this plant has done to help,” said Serrano. 

“My mom do not have to grow her own medicine. My family has the financial resources, but not everyone does,” said Serano.  “You also want to know your medicine is pure.” 

Temecula resident Wayne Hall said he was sympathetic with those who want to grow their own marijuana but was concerned with abuse. 

“I am not here to dispute anyone’s claims,” said Hall. “But I still believe marijuana is a gateway drug and I am worried about another child getting addicted.” 

Hall suggested people register with the city if they grow their own cannabis and law enforcement be allowed to check on the number of plants being grown in addition to laws against selling their plants. 

Ira Robinson, a Temecula resident said, “I believe we should have careful regulation, not prevention.” 

Councilman Jeff Comerchero thanked the public for sharing their stories. 

“It took courage for you all to come out and speak on this subject. I have been agonizing over this. The city is adamant  about no drugs and we shut down dispensaries in the past,” said Comerchero. 

“But the world is changing. Many people have sat down with me and shared their stories. The need is real.” 

“This is the most difficult topic I have ever had to decide on,” said Mayor Pro Tem, Maryann Edwards. “It is conflicting with my morals on drug use.” 

“We wouldn’t be a “Temecula Has Heart,” if we denied people their medicine,” said Comerchero. 

READ: Temecula Has Heart

“I am trying to wrap my head around this,” said Councilman Matt Rahn. “The federal government still considers marijuana a schedule one drug and does not approve it for medicinal use.”  

Rahn said he felt the council did not have enough of a review to include a compassionate use of marijuana and feared people will abuse the exemption. 

Edwards said, “People who abuse drugs will continue to break the law. We have people who need this drug and for them cultivating it on their own is their only answer.”

Edwards said she felt comfortable supporting the exemption if carefully monitored. 

Comerchero said, “The benefits I think outweigh the risk of abuse.” 

Rahn said he wanted to have input from local law enforcement at the second reading of the ordinance. 

Council voted 4-0 in favor to allow an exemption for cultivating marijuana for medicinal purposes. Mayor Mike Naggar was absent. Council agreed to return the matter back to council for a second reading.