Pubdate: Tue, 17 Jan 2006
Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2006 San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Contact: http://www.sgvtribune.com/writealetter
Website: http://www.sgvtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3725
Author: Mike Sprague, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

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."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom