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Interview: Bredefeld Says "Yes" To Medical Marijuana, Just Not In His District

http://www.garrybredefeld.com/
Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld represents district 6 (NE Fresno) - file photo

Last week the Fresno City Council approved a resolution kicking off the process of amending zoning laws to allow a variety of medical marijuana related businesses to operate in the city. The unanimous vote capped off a tense council meeting over the original proposal, which would have also allowed commercial marijuana businesses in the city, though stopping short of recreational use dispensaries. 

Councilmember Garry Bredefeld, who has been an opponent of recreational marijuana legalization, called the vote a victory for his side. He joined us on Valley Edition to talk about how he'd like to see the process play out at city hall in the coming months. In the interview he outlined his vision, which would allow only a handful of medical dispensaries, and only in industrial parts of the city, not in his district of northeast Fresno. He also announced he will continue to oppose businesses that would grow, process and test cannabis, even if they were only involved with medical use cannabis.

Bredefeld also addressed the on-going controversy over remarks he made at city hall earlier this year about race and NFL player protests. Many found the comments racially offensive, including city clerk Yvonne Spence, who complained to city officials that the comments may have created a hostile work environment. Bredefeld says he will not reimburse the city for the private attorney hired to represent in the investigation, which he says cleared him of any wrongdoing.  

Joe Moore is the President and General Manager of KVPR / Valley Public Radio. He has led the station through major programming changes, the launch of KVPR Classical and the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership the station was named California Non-Profit of the Year by Senator Melissa Hurtado (2019), and won a National Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative reporting (2022).
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