Asked to make a proactive statement against allowing marijuana dispensaries in the area, the Springs Redevelopment Advisory Committee decided the issue was not within its jurisdiction.
Though there is no specific proposal before the committee regarding a pot club, resident Sioux Messenger requested the committee go on record against the idea. She told the panel last week that such a business would create safety issues and invite criminal activity.
Speaking in favor of dispensaries was Dave McCullick, vice president of Sonoma Patient Group. It operates a club in Santa Rosa. He told a Sonoma meeting in April his group is looking for a second location somewhere in Sonoma Valley, but has ruled out the Springs.
“It definitely won’t be in the Springs,” he said. “Law enforcement wouldn’t let that happen there.” Sonoma itself is of course out – the city council voted against an ordinance last year. “We decided not to push it. We’ll open outside the city and service the same people.”
McCullick said a recent court decision has paved the way for the opening of medical cannabis outlets in unincorporated portions of the county. He said the Sonoma Patient Group is scouting locations in Glen Ellen, Schellville and in an industrial area on Eighth Street East.
The Santa Rosa location reported $1.33 million in income last year. The redevelopment advisory committee members did not discuss the potential revenue impact such a business could have on the area.
The consensus said Donna Hays, a committee member, was that a dispensary is not in the strategic plan, and that while members were free to advance their personal opinions, there would be no vote as a group.
