Fresno City Council voted to ban businesses that sell Marijuana for recreational purposes

Fresno, Calif. (KFSN) -- City Council President Clint Olivier mounted the charge to put off a decision on imposing a ban on recreational marijuana dispensaries, brushing off one accusation he was the king of promoting drug use in Fresno.

"If I am going to be the king of anything, it's of personal responsibility and human freedom because that's what this is all about," said Clint Olivier, Fresno City Council President

Council Member Garry Bredefeld is behind the move to ban dispensaries, he attacked Olivier's position that the war on marijuana had failed, and maintained places that sell pot are bad for the city.

"If we take your premise, we should make everything legal, because we've lost the war. We talk about neighborhoods I'm worried about the quality of neighborhoods and where these dispensaries would go," said Bredefeld.

Council Member Oliver Baines favored delaying the vote, noting the Mayor has agreed to hire a consultant to advise the city on the best course of action.

"We need more information, to make a decision. It's the tail wagging the dog, we don't really have enough information for a total recreational ban until we know what we are dealing with," said Baines.

Several citizens urged the council to allow dispensaries, and many noted the city already has plenty of illegal pot sellers who are gang members.

A majority of the Council voted four to three to impose a ban on places that sell marijuana for recreational users. City Council President Clint Olivier mounted the charge to put off a decision on imposing a ban on recreational marijuana dispensaries, brushing off one accusation he was the king of promoting drug use in Fresno.

"If I am going to be the king of anything, it's of personal responsibility and human freedom because that's what this is all about," said Clint Olivier, Fresno City Council President

Council Member Garry Bredefeld is behind the move to ban dispensaries, he attacked Olivier's position that the war on marijuana had failed, and maintained places that sell pot are bad for the city.

"If we take your premise, we should make everything legal, because we've lost the war. We talk about neighborhoods I'm worried about the quality of neighborhoods and where these dispensaries would go," said Bredefeld.

Council Member Oliver Baines favored delaying the vote, noting the Mayor has agreed to hire a consultant to advise the city on the best course of action.

"We need more information, to make a decision. It's the tail wagging the dog, we don't really have enough information for a total recreational ban until we know what we are dealing with," said Baines.

Several citizens urged the council to allow dispensaries, and many noted the city already has plenty of illegal pot sellers who are gang members.

A majority of the Council voted four to three to impose a ban on places that sell marijuana for recreational users.