In light of neighbors’ opposition to yet another medical marijuana dispensary on the grounds that it would be too close to a youth center or other clubs, the Planning Commission has proposed sitting down with the Board of Supervisors to revise the law.
Commissioner Hisashi Sugaya said during Thursday’s meeting that the commission wants definitions on what is meant by “youth serving facilities” and clustering.
“And I urge supervisors, listening to what we’re saying here, that the board step together with the Planning Commission as a department to further elaborate on what we need to know in order to avoid over-saturation and [to obtain] clarity on definitions,” Commissioner Kathrin Moore said.
The law in question prohibits pot dispensaries from opening within a thousand feet of a K-12 school, or a recreation and community facility that primarily serves youth under 18, but it does not include preschools. Dispensaries in the Sunset and SoMa were stalled based on the ambiguity of this rule.
“I think it’s time for a review. I know it’s not solely our decision, but that maybe we ask from the Police Department some sort of recap of what the implications are,” Commissioner Rodney Fong said. “Maybe reaching out to the supervisors on this matter. And it’s really a question that’s been asked, how much is too much?”
Fong said that saturation is a fair questions because the Planning Commission already takes into consideration whether there is a saturation of other businesses, like pharmacies and cafes. Neighbors opposed to the recently approved Herbal Mission dispensary at 3139 Mission Street raised the question of saturation, noting that another dispensary is nearby.
Diego Sanchez from the Planning Department said that the code does not take saturation into account.
At present the Mission has eight dispensaries, with two approved in the last year.
This is the least significant planning issue facing The Mission.
time to revisit???
please this is the perfect all cash business to launder money!!
The map is misleading. Blowing up the club icons makes them seem more prominent than they really are. As such it appears to be more a map of psychological anxiety than the geography of marijuana in the Mission.
Saturation should definitely be considered, we still don’t have it yet.
Meanwhile, the alcohol clubs do have a virtual saturation, with locations on every corner.
And lets set a limit to the number of gang bangers and zone their territories more closely while we are at it. There are what, 20,000 gang members in the Mission?