Pot dispensary proposal discussed at public forum

Officials of a proposed medical marijuana dispensary at 19445 Riverside Drive say that the facility would not be a magnet for crime, and they point to another facility in the county around which they say crime is virtually nonexistent.
The assurances were given at a dispensary-sponsored public forum at the proposed facility Wednesday evening, attended by more than 80 persons – at least some of whom reside nearby and expressed concerns that the dispensary would generate crime in their neighborhood.
Creekside Medicinal Organics, owned by Northbay Wellness Clinic, has submitted a permit application to the county to operate the dispensary in the former Nicholas Turkey facility.
Lisa Guygax, attorney for the dispensary, said there had been no increase in crime around the organization’s Santa Rosa facility and attempted to assure the standing-room only crowd that this would also be true in Sonoma.
She outlined security measures that she said are aimed at minimizing the potential for crime or other problems. They include, she said, “security protocols” such as surveillance cameras on the property, adequate parking, parking attendants, the need for a doctor’s prescription, a phone check with the doctor to verify the prescription, and a valid California identification card.
Additionally, she said, each customer would be “escorted in and out of the facility by security (personnel) who would not allow loitering in the parking lot.” Also, no cell phone calls would be allowed from the facility. In all, she said, “we’re making sure it runs tight.”
Even at the forum, there was a security presence: burly men wearing black T-shirts with the word SECURITY in large letters. Rick and Josh, two of the personnel, told The Sun that they are employees of the Northbay Clinic, not part of a contracted security service. They confirmed that their duties include “client service,” such as helping persons from their cars into the dispensary and back out.
The Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed dispensary at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Sonoma Fire Station, 630 Second St. West. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is not scheduled to take any action on Creekside’s application until after the advisory commission makes its recommendation.