Pubdate: Tue, 09 Feb 2010
Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
Copyright: 2010 The Press Democrat
Contact:  http://www.pressdemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348
Author: Mike Mccoy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/Topic/Dispensaries

SANTA ROSA REJECTS POT DISPENSARY BID

The Santa Rosa City Council on Tuesday rejected a proposal to put a 
medicinal marijuana dispensary on the edges of the South Park 
neighborhood, siding with police who said the area already is plagued 
by gang members, prostitutes and drug traffickers.

"I can't think of a worse location," said Councilman John Sawyer, 
part of a 6-1 vote to deny an appeal by San Rafael resident Mina 
Sohaei and attorney Scot Candell to open a 500-client dispensary on 
the southwest corner of Petaluma Hill Road and Barham Avenue.

Candell said their dispensary and its security measures -- 22 indoor 
and outdoor cameras, two security guards, bright outdoor lighting, 
bulletproof windows and steel doors -- would make the area safer as 
well as ensure the safety of the dispensary's clients and employees.

Candell said he's helped open up 10 similar dispensaries in Northern 
California and so far they haven't encountered problems.

"Not even a parking ticket," he said.

But Candell failed to sway the council, whose members endorsed the 
concept of medicinal marijuana, but expressed worry that putting a 
dispensary in a troubled area the city has spent years trying to turn 
around could result in a relapse.

"This is a fragile, evolving neighborhood," said Mayor Susan Gorin.

The appeal was filed after former City Manager Jeff Kolin late last 
year denied the application to share a 9,500-square-foot building 
occupied by a motorcycle sales and repair shop. Kolin's denial was 
based on the recommendation of police Sgt. Eric Litchfield, head of 
the city's narcotics team.

Litchfield said Tuesday that crime has decreased in the neighborhood 
the past few years because of increased scrutiny by city departments, 
but gang members, prostitutes and drug dealers still maintain a 
strong presence.

Sgt. Rainier Navarro, part of the city's anti-gang team, said "gangs 
remain a serious problem down there" and cited two gang-related 
homicides last year.

Litchfield and Navarro said they are available to help the applicants 
find a more suitable location.

Litchfield last year had approved the applicant's request to open the 
dispensary in the former China Light restaurant on West College 
Avenue, but Candell said Tuesday they pulled the request in the face 
of neighborhood opposition.

Despite the denial, several council members Tuesday said they support 
the idea of medicinal marijuana. Councilwoman Jane Bender said "it 
made the last days more peaceful" for people she's known who died 
from pancreatic cancer.

The council in 2005 adopted a law that allows two, 500-client 
dispensaries within the city. Police said one has been operating for 
several years largely unnoticed and without problems in an office 
building off Cleveland Avenue.

Under the city's law, the dispensaries must be located in commercial 
and industrial areas away from residences and at least 500 feet from 
youth-oriented facilities, including schools and parks.

The only support for the South Park dispensary was voiced by 
Councilman Marsha Vas Dupre, who said she also supports legalized prostitution.

"It would provide more eyes on the street," she said of the 
dispensary proposal, noting the cameras, lights and security guards 
would ward off trouble, not attract it.

Vas Dupre said approving the dispensary also would coincide with the 
council's goal of "promoting small businesses."

"I'm sad we aren't going to approve this," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom