PROPERTY OWNER OPPOSES POT CLUB

Dispensary's Site Shocks Phelan

WHITTIER - A member of one of Whittier's first families is none too
happy about its association with the city's first medical marijuana dispensary.

As a teacher for more than three decades, Regina Phelan said she
taught young people about the dangers of marijuana and other drugs.

So the 86-year-old Whittier resident, whose uncle has a local school
named after him - Daniel H. Phelan Elementary School - was shocked to
learn that her family's trust is leasing space to the city's only
medical marijuana dispensary.

"I almost fainted," she said of her reaction after learning that the
Whittier Collective, which provides marijuana to patients with
doctors' prescriptions, is operating within the Washington-Whittier
Medical Center.

Phelan oversees the Phelan Family Trust, which has owned the medical
center property since 1921. Phelan's parents came to Whittier in
1905. They bought the nearly 2-acre property in 1921 and built a
ranch on the land.

In 1957, the Phelan Family Trust was formed, and a medical building
was constructed on the property.

The Whittier Collective moved into a suite inside the medical center
about four months ago, without her knowledge, Phelan said.

"I taught school for 33 years and I tried to educate against the use
of marijuana," said Phelan, adding she now plans to do whatever she
can to legally force the collective out.

"I was totally unaware of their operation, and I wouldn't have signed
(the lease)" had she known what the group does, she said. "If we have
to keep them until 2008, (the lease) will never be renewed. I would
hope they would leave tomorrow."

David Price, the leasing agent for the Phelan Trust, refused to comment.

Last week, the Whittier City Council approved an ordinance regulating
medical marijuana dispensaries and restricting where they can open in
the city. The council acted under state law, which allows marijuana
to be grown and used by patients with physicians prescriptions.

Federal law, however, bans the possession and use of pot.

But Whittier's ordinance came after the Whittier Collective had
already moved into the Washington-Whittier Medical Center, which is
in an area now not zoned for medical marijuana dispensaries.

The collective can remain at its location, however, because the
ordinance was passed after it opened, city officials said.

"This particular facility is grandfathered in," said Jeff Collier,
Whittier's director of community development.

"Obviously, it's not in the location we feel that's best, given its
proximity to the Tri-Cities Regional Occupational Program. But it's
between (Phelan) and her tenant."

Bill Britt, a member of the Whittier Collective and executive
director and founder of Association of Patient Advocates, said the
group chose the location because it is in a medical building.

Britt said he doesn't believe the collective tried to mislead anyone
about the nature of what it does.

And he believes Phelan's reaction is fairly typical.

"When you explain what's going on, landlords will say you're selling
marijuana," Britt said. "But that's not what's going on. We're not
selling marijuana. It's a place for collective members to meet."

Patients going to the club must have a letter from a doctor before
they can get marijuana. The marijuana is supplied by members of the
collective, who provide donations to the group.

Phelan said she fears that doctors in the medical center, as well as
Whittier residents, will be unhappy about having a medical marijuana
dispensary in the city.

She also worries about what her deceased brother Tom Phelan, who was
a long-time track coach at Whittier High School, would say if he were alive.

"I'm representing the family trust, and it doesn't provide for
(marijuana) to be sold on the property," she said. "We're not
supposed to sell liquor. My family knew my brother Tom wouldn't approve."