STOP DISPENSARIES IN MENDOCINO

To the Editor:

I wonder how many people are aware that without any public notice or
feedback the Town of Mendocino is about to be graced with not one,
but two marijuana dispensaries.

These businesses are located in the heart of the historic district in
areas frequented by tourists and in immediate proximity to the
Pizza/Ice Cream shop, Internet Cafe, toy store and a brand new skate
board store, places where children and youth congregate on a daily
basis. These places are already magnets for transient individuals and
homeless campers who camp, illegally, in the nearby Headlands State Park.

I have contacted Mendocino County Counsel and have been advised that
all that is required to open a dispensary is a location and a
business license. Unlike a liquor license, there is no requirement
for public notice. There are no standards for addressing such issues
as securing the controlled substance, preventing on-site use,
loitering and reselling to minors or other unqualified individuals.
Furthermore, Mendocino has no local law enforcement to ensure the
security of these businesses and the adjacent public areas.

I would support a medical marijuana dispensary near the hospital and
other medical facilities in Fort Bragg, but Mendocino's population of
fewer than 800 souls has no need for two outlets within a couple of
blocks of each other. The Mendocino Town Plan exists to protect the
"residential character" of our community. I am forwarding this
message to the community and to our supervisors asking that we not
allow this "character" to literally go up in smoke by turning
Mendocino into a marijuana tourist destination.

Wendy Roberts

Mendocino