Pubdate: Mon, 26 May 2014
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2014 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Seth Cooper-Font

ARE WE READY FOR MARIJUANA SHOPS?

I would like to address the May 16 online story "Lease falls through 
for Battle Ground pot retailer," regarding one of the first 
legalized, licensed marijuana licensed retail stores in Clark County. 
Although I am in support of the legalization and decriminalization of 
marijuana consumption and sale, I cannot help but voice some concerns.

It's mentioned that this will be one of the only legal marijuana 
shops in the area as of now. Although I think it's extremely wise to 
limit the amount of cannabis licenses issued in a particular area, I 
cannot help but be concerned for the possibility of a monopoly on the 
sale of this product. This is a relatively new kind of retail, and 
allowing for only specific individuals to acquire a retail license 
limits the freedoms of other equally qualified potential vendors. Of 
course we cannot issue retail licenses en masse, but I do believe 
that there should be fairer regulations placed on this new enterprise.

I am also concerned with the public image a marijuana shop will 
display. I cannot imagine the cultural reaction that might come from 
the installation of a public marijuana shop. Before steps are taken 
to allow for the installations of these new shops, there must be 
community impact studies conducted to indicate the public's feelings 
concerning a cannabis shop in their neighborhood.

Seth Cooper-Font

Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom