MARIJUANA DISPENSARY IN GILROY? IS THE COUNCIL KIDDING? JUST SAY NO!

Dear Editor,

With regards to the present consideration of allowing medical
marijuana dispensaries within the City of Gilroy, such dispensaries
should not in any case be allowed anywhere within the City of Gilroy.

Although I can be somewhat sympathetic to the "compassionate use" of
marijuana for certain bona fide illnesses, it is all too evident that
adequate safeguards and controls do not exist under present state laws
to prevent misuse of this product. Until such time as adequate
safeguards exist, I am unalterably opposed to introduction of such
dispensaries in Gilroy. The potential negative effects far outweigh
any positive effects.

Some of my specific concerns are:

- -There is no evidence of the extent of need of "compassionate use" by
residents of Gilroy. There is not a need for Gilroy to satisfy the
needs of other communities and shoulder the burden of possible
negative effects on city image, crime, city staff effort, city
financial burdens, etc.

- -Under current city codes, enactment of this ordinance is not
permitted since maijuana use is contrary to federal law. I totally
support Councilman Bob Dillon's rationale that Gilroy action is simply
not permitted due to conflict with federal law.

- -It is well known that under the current procedures for obtaining a
California Medical Marijuana Card, nearly anyone of sufficient age and
providing an annual amount of approximately $200, can obtain a card
through the ubiquitous Internet. This certainly does not in any way
amount to any form of stringent control for "compassionate use."

- -It is already evident that the location of a marijuana dispensary
cannot be classified as a desirable neighbor to existing businesses.
In this economy, existing businesses already operate on a fragile
basis. There is no need for Gilroy City Council to impose more
fragility on these existing businesses.

- -I am most concerned about the negative effect on the youth posed by a
dispensary. Drug use is totally contrary to all academic, sports,
charitable, religious and special programs supported by virtually all
organizations within the city. Even though our elementary and high
school youth may be under age to obtain a marijuana card, the
availability of marijuana, marijuana products and probably other drugs
will most assuredly increase to our youth population.

- -The image of Gilroy is unquestionably heightened by our worldwide
reputation surrounding that precious, delightful bulb, garlic. It is
naive to think that enterprising print, vocal, visual and, yes,
Internet media personalities will not soon draw "cute", "attention
getting" comparisons such as: Gilroy, The Garlic Capital of the World
and Now the Marijuana Capital of the Bay Area; or, How about a
Cook-Off between Don Gage's Garlic Italian Sausages, Aunt Sarah's
tasty MJ Brownies and Saka-Bozzo's Garlic Stir Fry. I close with this
thoughtful question: IS THIS TRIP NECESSARY?

Paul V. Kloecker

Gilroy