Pondering Pot in Safety Harbor 8/22/17
Last night there was a City Commission Workshop on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries.
As a brief update, below are the main points in my view. Admittedly, the process has been ongoing, so I went to mainly observe the direction taken by our new community. As I listened, it was clear I had to speak up and alert fellow residents.
Find out what's happening in Safety Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
It began with a few remarks from staff regarding the latest State legislation. Although, is seems the specifics are still a work in progress.
Next Andrew from Midwest Compassion Center from Romeoville, IL a gave his presentation. Strangely, their website omitted his last name as well as that of several other associates. They are interested in a Safety Harbor property at 3393 State Road 580 for cannabis processing and cultivation. (Their email from 7/20/17 said it was only processing but apparently is has expanded since then) He stressed how secure and discreet the facility would be. In fact, he said they “hide in plain sight”. The need for this is not reassuring.
Find out what's happening in Safety Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Several speakers spoke in support of the proposal. Dr. Dave Becker, previous president of the local AMA said the majority of doctors, including himself, see very little evidence of any marijuana medical benefits. In any case, he has gone through the training and is able to legally prescribe marijuana to patients and is in favor.
Other than myself, one speaker from Colorado expressed serious concerns about the strong odors such facilities produce. When you google about this persistent problem, the odor is described as a skunk like smell.
The company has plans to place a dispensary in Safety Harbor after their cultivating, processing plant is up and running. The commissioners were already discussing recreational pot as coming next. These trends they either see no need to slow down or believe they can’t stop. This is disturbing.
Surely the 72% that voted for medical marijuana did so out of compassion for the hurting. They certainly did not vote for skunk smells, crime, addiction, etc. in their own back yards!
Sleepy Safety Harbor the direction indicated by the commissioners will negatively alter our community. It is time to wake up!
Sylvia Sullivan