Pubdate: Sun, 11 May 2008 Source: Times-Standard (Eureka, CA) Copyright: 2008 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.times-standard.com/writealettertotheeditor Website: http://www.times-standard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1051 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Arcata Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Mendocino Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) DOPE DECISION FACING ARCATA The Arcata City Council's moratorium on the establishment of new medical marijuana dispensaries in the city -- pending staff research into zoning law changes not only for the sale of pot, but growing and processing it as well -- is a responsible move. Not only must the council find a way to exert needed local controls amid a complicated California law, Proposition 215, that has so many holes that it allows a virtually unfettered market for marijuana. It also must recognize the dangers to its community. Arcata is on a slippery slope to becoming the doper capital of the North Coast, if it hasn't reached that status already. Arcata needs to make a decision about what kind of city it wants to be. It's not hard to envision Arcata turning into a town like Mendocino, where instead of streets full of art galleries, B&Bs, restaurants and real estate offices, Arcata will feature pot supermarkets, Home Depot-like hydroponics supply warehouses, bong shops and neighborhoods full of grow houses. Although the moratorium is only for 45 days, with perhaps a limited extension, the pot community is already in hysterics, demanding the council be recalled. If that happens, we'd expect a backlash from other residents who will say, "No more Mr. Nice Guy," and demand even harsher restrictions than those in the works. In the year that Arcata is celebrating its 150th anniversary, most residents of that center for Humboldt County's intellectual and artistic life do not want it to become choked in a cannabis fog. The council is right to stand up for a future that envisions more than a 215 card in every pocket. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake