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Sand City Passes Temporary Ban On Medical Pot Shop

SAND CITY, Calif. - At a packed city hall meeting Tuesday night, the Sand City Council voted unanimously to pass a temporary ban on medical pot shops. The ban will stop a Monterey resident for at least 45 days who was trying to open one in Sand City.

Daniel Maniscalgo wanted to open a medicinal marijuana dispensary in Sand City on Orange Avenue near other local businesses. Council members gave many reasons against allowing the idea, but primarily all members echoed safety concerns.

"The attorney general, the local district attorney are concerned about the effects of these types of operations so why shouldn't we?" said Sand City Mayor David Pendergrass.

In contract, Maniscalgo argued the need for a dispensary was great and without a regulated store, crime was encouraged. 

"Right now the patients are forced to go to the black market and support that and that's helping crime grow versus helping the medical industry grow," said Maniscalgo.

During the 45-day moratorium, Sand City leaders said they planned on talking to other cities with pot dispensaries to see if there's an increase in crime. After further investigation, they will vote to either end the ban or extend it to two years. Eventually the council could make it permanent.

In the meantime, Maniscalgo said he'll explore the possibility of opening a dispensary in other Central Coast cities. Sand City Council members even suggested he try the Ryan Ranch complex where a medical pot shop could be surrounded by other medical facilities.