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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/04/03 Item 11RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 2420 CREATING STATEWIDE LEGISLATION CRIMINALIZING POSSESSION OF SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS AND SYNTHETIC STIM[JLANTS WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista values the health and welfare of its citizens; and WHEREAS, synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants, aka: "Spice", "K-2" and MDPV "Bath Salts," are currently being purchased and used by Chula Vista citizens; and WHEREAS, the Chula Vista Police Department has expressed their concern about the public health danger that synthetic drugs pose to our community; and WHEREAS, local law enforcement agencies are limited in the actions they can take at the present time, due to a need for new laws to address these new threats to the health and safety of everyone in our community; and WHEREAS, local law enforcement has no ability to arrest or cite individuals for personally possessing any of these dangerous substances; and WHEREAS, California Assemblymember Ben Hueso has introduced AB 2420 - Controlled substances: synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic stimulants [criminalizing personal possession] co-authored by Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher and Senator Juan Vargas; and WHEREAS, many more injuries and deaths to users appear likely to occur if the possession of these synthetic substances are not outlawed in California; and WHEREAS, a statewide approach to criminalizing personal possession would result in a consistent and uniform approach to this issue to the benefit of prosecuting and arresting agencies; and WHEREAS, numerous other states have criminalized personal possession; and WHEREAS, the City Council is appreciative of these efforts and the work undertaken by Assemblymembers Ben Hueso and Nathan Fletcher, with Senator Juan Vargas, in moving this bill forward; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista supports a statewide law establishing criminal penalties for possession of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic stimulants. 11-1 Resolution No. Page 2 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby: 1. Declare the City Council's support of Assembly Bill No. 2420 (Hueso, Fletcher & Vargas) criminalizing personal possession of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic stimulants; and 2. Direct the City Clerk to send a copy of this resolution to California Governor Jerry Brown, Assemblymembers Ben Hueso and Nathan Fletcher, and State Senator Juan Vargas. Presented by Steve Castaneda City Councilmember Approved as to form by ~~var ~~~~/ - rot G~ Glen R. Googins City Attorney 11-2