SR-104-088 (8)~_ . .
City Council Report
~ City of
Santa Monica~
City Council Meeting: August 8, 2006
Agenda Item: ~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney
Subject: Resolution Submitting Ballot Measure to the Voters Making Adult,
Personal Use of Marijuana the Lowest Law Enforcement Priority
Recommended Action
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution placing a
measure on the ballot making adult, personal use of marijuana the lowest law
enforcement priority.
Executive Summary
Charged with the legal duty to either adopt or send to the voters an initiative measure
making the personal, adult use of marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority, Council
has directed that the measure be placed on the November ballot. The accompanying
resolution fulfills that direction.
Discussion
As the Council is aware, once an initiative which would amend the Municipal Code has
qualified for the ballot, state law requires the Council to adopt the measure, as written,
or place it on the ballot for the voters to accept or reject. Consequently, at its meeting of
July 25, 2006, the Council directed staff to prepare a resolution which would place
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before the voters the initiative making adult, personal marijuana usage the lowest law
enforcement priority in the City. The resolution fulfilling that direction is attached.
Alternatives
As a matter of law, the Council's only alternative would have been to adopt the
measure, as written.
Budqet/Financial Impact
The budget impact resulting from the recommended action would be an increase in City
election costs of from $5,000 to $7,000.
Prepared by: Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney
Approved:
Mars~a'Jone,~ I~l'loutrie
City Attorney~~
Forwarded to Council:
iont Ewe
anager
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