Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Sonoma, Ca - A group that operates a medical marijuana dispensary in Santa Rosa is looking for investors to fund a second location in Sonoma Valley.
The Sonoma Patient Group has ruled out opening in the Springs area, members told a public forum of about 30 on Sunday, but is looking at sites in Glen Ellen, Schellville and in an industrial area on Eighth Street East.
The legalized pot business is about to heat up. A recent court decision has cleared the way for dispensaries in unincorporated parts of the county, said Sonoma Patient Group’s Dave McCullick, and plans for at least 14 are in the works.
“Competition has really opened up,” he said.
The new store is modeled after the Sonoma Patient Group’s dispensary in Santa Rosa, which employs seven people. The collective reported $1.33 million in income last year.
“We are set up and run as a professional organization,” said John Sugg. “It’s been very successful. We have a very strong customer service model. The goal is to serve patients at the lowest possible cost.”
Starting the Santa Rosa location was a shoestring affair, based on small loans and credit cards. “That was five years ago, times have changed,” said Sugg. The current financing goal is $100,000.
The goal for expansion is have working capital to sustain the business through two growing cycles; the period after harvest is particularly lean, said Sugg.
“Our commitment is to the patient base,” said Jewel Mathieson, the third member of Sonoma Patient Group’s board of directors. “Safe access is the number one priority. Our product is tested to make sure it’s free of contaminants. Our patients need to know their medicine is pure.”
Discussing possible locations, McCullick said the new store “definitely won’t be in the Springs. Law enforcement wouldn’t let that happen there.” Sonoma itself is of course out – the city council voted against an ordinance last year. “We decided not to push it. We’ll open outside the city and service the same people.”
The recent court decision throwing out the prerequisite of use permits will allow the store to open and begin operation immediately, McCullick said. “We’ll choose a location we feel is easy to permit when that becomes required. We’ve built our organization to be permit-ready.”
Sonoma Patient Group has attained about half of its needed capital. Investors are asked to provide unsecured loans of between $2,500 and $10,000 at a 15 percent interest rate. Investors won’t receive dividends or have a say in how the nonprofit is run, but they will receive a 20 percent discount on marijuana.
McCullick said Sonoma Patient Group can reach its financing goal in a few months, and then lease storefront space soon after. “There are plenty of places available,” he said. “Once we have the money, we can open.”
Several attendees, who asked not to be identified, told The Sun they came because they were curious about the plans for the dispensary and where it would be located. One woman said she is becoming more aware of the medical marijuana issue based on her work with the aged. One man said he attended out of “general interest. I like to know what’s happening in our community.”
Most said they were intrigued by the business opportunity, as well.
No anti-dispensary advocates were heard from during a question and answer period. Refreshments, a light buffet and more conversation followed. “Enjoy,” encouraged McCullick. “And if you brought your checkbook, great.”
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source:
Author: Val Robichaud
Copyright: 2010 Sonoma Valley Sun
Contact: https://sonomasun.thmm.com/?page_id=3320
Website: Pot club scouting locations for dispensary in Valley : Sonoma Valley Sun
• Thanks to herbose for submitting this article
The Sonoma Patient Group has ruled out opening in the Springs area, members told a public forum of about 30 on Sunday, but is looking at sites in Glen Ellen, Schellville and in an industrial area on Eighth Street East.
The legalized pot business is about to heat up. A recent court decision has cleared the way for dispensaries in unincorporated parts of the county, said Sonoma Patient Group’s Dave McCullick, and plans for at least 14 are in the works.
“Competition has really opened up,” he said.
The new store is modeled after the Sonoma Patient Group’s dispensary in Santa Rosa, which employs seven people. The collective reported $1.33 million in income last year.
“We are set up and run as a professional organization,” said John Sugg. “It’s been very successful. We have a very strong customer service model. The goal is to serve patients at the lowest possible cost.”
Starting the Santa Rosa location was a shoestring affair, based on small loans and credit cards. “That was five years ago, times have changed,” said Sugg. The current financing goal is $100,000.
The goal for expansion is have working capital to sustain the business through two growing cycles; the period after harvest is particularly lean, said Sugg.
“Our commitment is to the patient base,” said Jewel Mathieson, the third member of Sonoma Patient Group’s board of directors. “Safe access is the number one priority. Our product is tested to make sure it’s free of contaminants. Our patients need to know their medicine is pure.”
Discussing possible locations, McCullick said the new store “definitely won’t be in the Springs. Law enforcement wouldn’t let that happen there.” Sonoma itself is of course out – the city council voted against an ordinance last year. “We decided not to push it. We’ll open outside the city and service the same people.”
The recent court decision throwing out the prerequisite of use permits will allow the store to open and begin operation immediately, McCullick said. “We’ll choose a location we feel is easy to permit when that becomes required. We’ve built our organization to be permit-ready.”
Sonoma Patient Group has attained about half of its needed capital. Investors are asked to provide unsecured loans of between $2,500 and $10,000 at a 15 percent interest rate. Investors won’t receive dividends or have a say in how the nonprofit is run, but they will receive a 20 percent discount on marijuana.
McCullick said Sonoma Patient Group can reach its financing goal in a few months, and then lease storefront space soon after. “There are plenty of places available,” he said. “Once we have the money, we can open.”
Several attendees, who asked not to be identified, told The Sun they came because they were curious about the plans for the dispensary and where it would be located. One woman said she is becoming more aware of the medical marijuana issue based on her work with the aged. One man said he attended out of “general interest. I like to know what’s happening in our community.”
Most said they were intrigued by the business opportunity, as well.
No anti-dispensary advocates were heard from during a question and answer period. Refreshments, a light buffet and more conversation followed. “Enjoy,” encouraged McCullick. “And if you brought your checkbook, great.”
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source:
Author: Val Robichaud
Copyright: 2010 Sonoma Valley Sun
Contact: https://sonomasun.thmm.com/?page_id=3320
Website: Pot club scouting locations for dispensary in Valley : Sonoma Valley Sun
• Thanks to herbose for submitting this article
