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Taraval Medical Cannabis Approved
Editor’s Note: Much has been written in these pages against the Medical Cannabis Dispensary on Taraval at 32nd Ave. and we are happy to provide space for the director of operations to reply.
A lot of people were disappointed by the decision of the Planning Commission to approve our Permit at 2139 Taraval Street, but there are also a lot of people for whom the decision considerably improves access to their medication and who are very pleased. We appreciate the Planning Commission’s members who carefully researched our proposal, we know there was a lot of pressure to vote against a site at this location but we know, after they studied the facts, they voted fairly and according to the State laws and San Francisco regulations. This was not something that they had on their calendar with no warning. I had the opportunity to meet with a few commissioners, and the commissioners met with many other people in the community as well. They found, as many people have, that once they took the time to listen to what we have to say and how we intend to operate, they are happy that we are opening and wish us luck.
We have been conducting outreach meetings every Wednesday evening since February and have had a chance to talk with many of the residents and neighbors in the surrounding community. Recently, people are telling us that they signed a petition “Carmen Chu’s petition” (their words) due to some aggressive pressure from a petition gatherer. Many changed their minds because they found out later that what they were told just isn’t true. Opponents of the Medical Cannabis Dispensary may have prejudged that “marijuana is a bad thing” and associate it with crime, and that is understandable considering the relatively short history of its use in this country. I has been proven, time and again, however, that cannabis is a useful medicine and I see it in practice every day. As medicine, cannabis provides important relief to the sick and suffering. Having a location that is convenient, safe and legal to those individuals who need this relief is why we are here.
“there has been no spike in thefts or violent crime-or even DUI arrests in the areas surrounding the city’s dispensaries: “It’s just the opposite,…people are taking ownership. Now they’re stakeholders in the community. If we do our job right and they do theirs, crime should go down.”
Our Wednesday outreach participants usually say, after they learn who we are, what we are about, and the way we intend to run the dispensary, that they are glad we are coming to the community and often wished us luck at the Planning Commission hearing on May 20th. For those who wish to learn about our mission and our commitment to serving the patients as well as the community, we again extend the invitation to feel free to ask us the what, how, and why. They are usually impressed that the information, statistics, and references we supply are from unbiased organizations.
One of the most frequent areas of misinformation used consistently by opponents, is that crime increases around Medical Cannabis Dispensaries; in reality, crime statistics are the same as for any other business.
San Francisco Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Boaz Mariles said “The police culture has changed in terms of understanding that [for some people] it’s not just weed, it’s medicine.” Mariles says there has been no spike in thefts or violent crime-or even DUI arrests in the areas surrounding the city’s dispensaries: “It’s just the opposite,” he says. “People are taking ownership. Now they’re stakeholders in the community. If we do our job right and they do theirs, crime should go down.” He adds that dispensary owners and employees have “done their part” by keeping the sidewalks outside their businesses clean, discouraging loitering, and generally acting as friendly neighbors.
Similar remarks have been quoted by police chiefs throughout the state and in other states with Medical Marijuana laws that have done studies and get the facts.
People are impressed with our attitude and willingness to impose more stringent rules on ourselves —not content to merely observe whatever the law will allow. Patients must show their ID. and we will check their doctor’s recommendation by physically calling the doctor. If the doctor is not available, we will tell the patient that we will call them when their doctor has been contacted and ask them to return at that time. After verifying the recommendation with the doctor, we check the AMA web site to make sure he/she is a doctor in good standing. There will be absolutely no medicating in or around the dispensary. Only those who are 21 years of age or older may enter the dispensary (unless accompanied by an adult (parent/guardian).
We are proud of our collaborative alliances with some of the most prominent researchers in the world in the field of Medical Cannabis. We will be supplying valuable information to them for their research as well.
We are now and will continue to work closely with lawmakers and law enforcement officers to help clarify existing laws and assist with establishing procedures for dealing with any unclear portions of the law. We have nothing to do with illegal activities of any kind, we are registered with the state as a Non-Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation.
We are confident that, after we have been in practice for a sufficient length of time, those neighbors and others who have suspicions will be reassured and realize that there really is a useful thing here for those who need it.
The Planning Commission could not find any fault with our application or with our organization. We are determined to demonstrate to the whole community that they were right in approving our permit. Sometimes it is difficult to understand until you see or experience the beneficial effects of Medical Cannabis first hand or by a loved one. It is our hope and wish that you or your loved ones never need our services. We are glad to be her for those that do and will. We look forward to a long and peaceful association with the community.
June 2010
