Topic: A growing concern; neighborhood group opposing Glendale dispensary
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A growing concern; neighborhood group opposing Glendale dispensary
Megan Hansen/Times-Standard
Posted: 12/19/2011 02:27:53 AM PST
A temporary moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries in Humboldt County was enacted last week, but some residents are still working to petition against a pending dispensary in Glendale.
During last Tuesday's Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Glendale Neighborhood Alliance presented a petition with the signatures of 39 county residents opposing a medical marijuana dispensary in Glendale.
Nancy Nickols, a member of the group, said she's lived in the area for 45 years. She said people are concerned about the dispensary's proximity to school bus stops and potential increases in crime and traffic.
”We feel it will change our neighborhood,” Nickols said. “We are concerned.”
She said the area has already experienced an increase in crime such as people stealing gasoline from cars and referenced an incident last week where a home was robbed and four pounds of medical marijuana was stolen -- all while a 10-year-old boy was sleeping alone at home while his mother was at work.
”A block and a half away there was a drug bust, and we don't normally have those things,” Nickols said.
A 45-day moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries was enacted last Tuesday by county supervisors in response to threats from the federal government. The county counsel's office is using the time to review the county's legal authority in regulating and permitting dispensaries and collectives.
The supervisors must decide whether to extend the moratorium before it expires on Jan. 27. Currently, no new dispensaries beyond the three already operating in the county can be permitted, and the eight in the application phase are on hold, according to county staff.
Nickols said the neighborhood group still has a lot of work to do and that they're continuing to gather signatures.
”We have other places to go in this area,” Nickols said.
In addition, she said the group plans to present its petition to the Humboldt County Planning Commission next month. Past dispensary permits were approved by the commission.
Fifth District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg said he plans to hold a public meeting in Glendale after the first of the year to discuss the issue. He said the board still has a long way to go before it has a dispensary-related ordinance in place, and the legal situation is deciphered.
”Everything's so up the air right now,” Sundberg said, referencing the moratorium.
However, he said the group's work will be beneficial when the time comes to make a decision on the proposed dispensary.
”When we do get to that point, it'll be good to have that information,” Sundberg said.
Megan Hansen can be reached at 441-0511 or mhansen@times-standard.com.