Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A medical marijuana dispensary in Show Low has been denied a request to change its building signage that would have added "cannabis" to its name.
Green Hills Patient Center, 3191 S. White Mountain Rd., wanted to change its building signage to add the words, "Medical Cannabis Dispensary." The center also wanted to extend its hours of operation by two hours until 8 p.m., as well as add a provision to allow the center to sell paraphernalia.
The council denied the name change and hours extension requests, but gave the green light for the center to sell paraphernalia.
According to a presentation last month to the city council, Green Hills Patient Center has seen a 700 percent increase in sales from 20015 to 2016 – about $20,000 per month to $145,000 per month.
Pam Donner, a spokesperson who represented Green Hills at the council meeting said Green Hills had "2,000 patients (customers) in June," which seemed to stun council members and the audience.
Donner presented her requests, explaining the benefits of increased hours, increased days of operation and changes in signage.
"It's for the patients," she said. "We have created a highly regarded, quality medical marijuana dispensary. The longer hours are key since this area has seasonal patients that live here only in summer."
She also said that the longer hours would reduce the amount of people waiting outside the building and in the lobby. She added that patients would not have to drive out of town to go to another dispensary. These changes would allow the center "to serve the community better."
The council vetoed two of the three requests, saying that the word "cannabis" on the building sign and additional hours of operation were unnecessary as evidenced by their tremendous sales increase.
Donner said adding "cannabis" to the building's signage would help reduce confusion for those visiting Green Hills thinking that the business is an urgent care facility.
"Your patients know where you are as shown by your sales," said Mayor Daryl Seymore. "I feel that the signage pictorial image was in violation from the beginning. Let's keep the words 'cannabis' and 'marijuana' out of the sign."
The council will allow Green Hills to redesign their sign to say "Prescription Cardholders Only," which they must first present to the council for preapproval.
The council also rejected the hours extension request, which would have added an additional two hours each day, plus add a day. The center current has hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The request asked for hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days per week.
But Seymore said the center isn't taking advantage of an hour each day.
"Being open six days is week is probably fine, but we have allowed you to open at 9 a.m. and you opt to open at 10 a.m.," he said. "You're not utilizing one of the hours of operation that were already given to you."
Councilman Mike Allsop agreed.
"The hours should not change for the summer. What is the need?," he asked. "Why is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., six days a week not enough?"
Council member Rennie Crittenden said there is no need for an extension of business hours.
"If it's prescription only customers, why do you need the extra hours?"
Council member John Leech Jr. was more to the point, saying he is not a "fan of being open seven days a week for the sale of marijuana" in Show Low.
"I'm not fond of the extended hours either," he said.
Council member Gene Kelley said getting the original permit approved was a struggle.
"It was negotiated out and conditions were stipulated by the city to allow this business an opportunity to operate," he said, "and the hours of operation need to stay within daylight hours. We should stick to the conditions that were approved in 2013."
As for the selling of paraphernalia, the dispensary is currently only allowed to sell medical marijuana, with on-site cultivation prohibited. But the council approved the conditional use permit amendment, saying it makes sense for people to "get what they need in one place."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana dispensary denied name change request | Latest News | wmicentral.com
Author: Laura Singleton
Contact: Contact Us | Site | wmicentral.com
Photo Credit: Laura Singleton
Website: wmicentral.com | The White Mountain Independent's Online Edition
Green Hills Patient Center, 3191 S. White Mountain Rd., wanted to change its building signage to add the words, "Medical Cannabis Dispensary." The center also wanted to extend its hours of operation by two hours until 8 p.m., as well as add a provision to allow the center to sell paraphernalia.
The council denied the name change and hours extension requests, but gave the green light for the center to sell paraphernalia.
According to a presentation last month to the city council, Green Hills Patient Center has seen a 700 percent increase in sales from 20015 to 2016 – about $20,000 per month to $145,000 per month.
Pam Donner, a spokesperson who represented Green Hills at the council meeting said Green Hills had "2,000 patients (customers) in June," which seemed to stun council members and the audience.
Donner presented her requests, explaining the benefits of increased hours, increased days of operation and changes in signage.
"It's for the patients," she said. "We have created a highly regarded, quality medical marijuana dispensary. The longer hours are key since this area has seasonal patients that live here only in summer."
She also said that the longer hours would reduce the amount of people waiting outside the building and in the lobby. She added that patients would not have to drive out of town to go to another dispensary. These changes would allow the center "to serve the community better."
The council vetoed two of the three requests, saying that the word "cannabis" on the building sign and additional hours of operation were unnecessary as evidenced by their tremendous sales increase.
Donner said adding "cannabis" to the building's signage would help reduce confusion for those visiting Green Hills thinking that the business is an urgent care facility.
"Your patients know where you are as shown by your sales," said Mayor Daryl Seymore. "I feel that the signage pictorial image was in violation from the beginning. Let's keep the words 'cannabis' and 'marijuana' out of the sign."
The council will allow Green Hills to redesign their sign to say "Prescription Cardholders Only," which they must first present to the council for preapproval.
The council also rejected the hours extension request, which would have added an additional two hours each day, plus add a day. The center current has hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The request asked for hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days per week.
But Seymore said the center isn't taking advantage of an hour each day.
"Being open six days is week is probably fine, but we have allowed you to open at 9 a.m. and you opt to open at 10 a.m.," he said. "You're not utilizing one of the hours of operation that were already given to you."
Councilman Mike Allsop agreed.
"The hours should not change for the summer. What is the need?," he asked. "Why is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., six days a week not enough?"
Council member Rennie Crittenden said there is no need for an extension of business hours.
"If it's prescription only customers, why do you need the extra hours?"
Council member John Leech Jr. was more to the point, saying he is not a "fan of being open seven days a week for the sale of marijuana" in Show Low.
"I'm not fond of the extended hours either," he said.
Council member Gene Kelley said getting the original permit approved was a struggle.
"It was negotiated out and conditions were stipulated by the city to allow this business an opportunity to operate," he said, "and the hours of operation need to stay within daylight hours. We should stick to the conditions that were approved in 2013."
As for the selling of paraphernalia, the dispensary is currently only allowed to sell medical marijuana, with on-site cultivation prohibited. But the council approved the conditional use permit amendment, saying it makes sense for people to "get what they need in one place."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana dispensary denied name change request | Latest News | wmicentral.com
Author: Laura Singleton
Contact: Contact Us | Site | wmicentral.com
Photo Credit: Laura Singleton
Website: wmicentral.com | The White Mountain Independent's Online Edition
