Pubdate: Mon, 03 Jun 2013
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2013 The Arizona Republic
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Dianna M. Nanez

SE VALLEY LIKELY TO GET MORE MEDICAL-POT DISPENSARIES

Tempe is home to the southeast Valley's first medical-marijuana 
dispensary but more are on the horizon, in Gilbert and Mesa, as the 
industry slowly takes root in Arizona.

The business of marijuana has been tough going, despite Arizona 
voters approving the drug for medicinal use in 2010, said Steve 
White, a board member of Harvest of Tempe, which opened in May.

State legal challenges and federal opposition to legalizing medical 
marijuana created hurdles. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge 
ruled in December that the state's marijuana program does not 
conflict with federal laws.

But businesses still must navigate state and municipal laws, which 
vary by city.

It is difficult to find a site that meets requirements, White said. 
The next hurdle is finding a property owner willing to lease to a 
business dealing in medicinal marijuana.

White said Harvest of Tempe, near Elliot and Kyrene roads, found a 
leasing company and property owner willing to work with them to 
overcome negative perceptions about dispensaries.

In Tempe, a second dispensary is expected soon near Rio Salado 
Parkway and McClintock Drive. A cultivation center also is in the pipeline.

Mesa saw one dispensary falter after a ground-breaking this year.

Gordon Sheffield, Mesa's zoning administrator, said some questioned 
whether a modular building was allowed in the southwest Mesa 
industrial park, where Giving Tree Wellness Center had hoped to open. 
Although the city had granted permission, Sheffield said a 
neighboring business objected. Giving Tree now has applied to open in 
an existing building a few doors east, at 938 E. Juanita Ave., he said.

Gilbert's first medical-marijuana dispensary is on track to open in 
an industrial park near Elliot and McQueen roads, behind Mesquite High School.

Chandler is without a dispensary or cultivation center, and none is 
pending. The City Council denied one use-permit application for a 
dispensary in 2011 and has not had an application since, according to 
city officials.

Southeast Valley cities have attempted to strike a balance by setting 
strict standards for medical-marijuana and cultivation centers.

Cities, for example, require extra security, ban sites from locating 
within a defined distance from schools and churches and have 
designated zoning that dictates where the businesses may open.

Republic reporters Gary Nelson, Parker Leavitt and Michelle Mitchell 
contributed to this article.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom