Pubdate: Wed, 27 May 2009
Source: Sonoma West Times & News (Sebastopol, CA)
Copyright: 2009 Sonoma West Publishers
Contact:  http://www.sonomawest.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3447
Author: David Abbott
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

OWNER OF CANNABIS CLINIC REACHES OUT TO COMMUNITY

Tax Revenues, Site Security Set Stage For Second Dispensary

Robert Jacob has quietly seen a second medicinal cannabis clinic 
approved in Sebastopol, but that's just the way he wants it.

We're trying to expand a positive dispensary model, and in one and 
one half years, we've had no complaints," he said.

On April 27, the Sebastopol Planning Commission approved the use 
permit application for Peace in Medicine to expand its business to a 
remodeled bowling alley at 950 Gravenstein Highway South, which Jacob 
hopes to open in the fall. *

The existing dispensary opened in October 2007, and is located in a 
clean, nondescript building that looks like any other business in the 
area. There are no questionable characters hanging around the parking 
lot, due in large part to a no-nonsense code of conduct and a 
security system that has already proven its worth.

On Wednesday, May 19, PIM was burglarized by several men who 
allegedly hijacked a car in Santa Rosa the night before.

On Friday evening, May 22, the Santa Rosa Police Department arrested 
three men in connection to the crimes.

Nothing was taken from the dispensary, and the police agencies 
involved used video footage provided by PIM's surveillance cameras to 
capture the alleged criminals.

People have to remember that other businesses have been burglarized 
as well, even Taco Bell," said Sebastopol Police Chief Jeff Weaver, 
who cited recent bank robberies and even an armored car heist in Sebastopol.

Weaver is ambivalent about whether he approves of the business or 
not, but looks at the issue from a law-enforcement and business angle.

I know that any retail establishment generates sales tax, and 
although I don't know exactly how much PIM has generated, if you're 
comfortable with the source, tax revenues are a good thing," he said.

According to Weaver, one of the fundamental challenges to any 
medicinal cannabis dispensary is that it violates federal law, but 
California laws contradict federal law, so dispensaries must walk a 
fine line in order to avoid problems with police agencies.

The way they have operated has been very good. They have been very 
good corporate citizens," Weaver said. "Other than the recent 
burglary, we've had no problems with the way things are going over there."

Jacob's approach to his business focuses on the importance of local 
support and the belief in patient access to alternative medicine, 
information and education in a safe environment. He sees PIM as a 
model for facilities implementing the legal dispensation of medical 
cannabis in compliance with Prop. 215 -- the Compassionate Use Act of 
1996, approved by 55 percent of the voters -- where "customers are 
treated like the patients they are."

PIM is designed to look like and is a professional medical office 
staffed with well-trained, customer service oriented employees such 
as Kitty Ballard a receptionist at the clinic and former EMT.

Ballard believes in the mission of PIM, and in the validity of 
cannabis as a legitimate form of medicine.

Cannabis access is part of basic human rights," she said. "I've seen 
a lot of suffering in patients and this is a good, healthy option."

Former Sebastopol City Manager Dave Brennan was involved early on in 
the process, but left his position before the final approval. He 
advised Jacob about the planning process, and sees material benefits 
to the business in these times of economic downturn.

The benefits to the city are some sales tax revenue and possible 
ripple effect of bringing customers to the city for other shopping 
purposes," he said. "Sebastopol is providing a service to the region 
by permitting a well run dispensary that serves over 2,000 clients.

Robert appears to manage the facility at a high professional standard 
and has met all the conditions of their permit," Brennan added.

Jacob believes that community service is an important part of his 
mission as a local business leader. He is an active member of the 
Chamber of Commerce and has sponsored, and/or participated in, more 
than a dozen community events, as well as anonymously sponsoring many 
local schools, city parks and events for children and young adults.

I wanted to get involved in Sebastopol and do something for 
Sebastopol," Jacob said.

In addition to medicinal cannabis, PIM offers a wide variety of 
classes and services aimed at helping people manage their health.

It offers free Chinese herbal medicine consultations, nutritional 
consultations, yoga classes, acupuncture, and massage therapy. The 
facility hosts support groups for patients living with cancer or 
chronic pain, and provides free meeting space for local nonprofit and 
environmental groups.

PIM is located in Gravenstein Station at 6771 Sebastopol Ave. in 
Sebastopol and can be reached at 707-823-4206. Its hours of operation 
are Monday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 
10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. A calendar 
of monthly events can be viewed at www.peaceinmedicine.org.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom