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. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake