The Monday night meeting of the Sapulpa City Council made history, with their approval of two Medical Marijuana Dispensaries within Sapulpa city limits. All members were present and voting except Wes Galloway, who was absent.
The highlight of the meeting was the application for a Special Use Permit for a commercial Medical Marijuana Dispensary by Chris Wygle. Nikki White, Urban Development Director, explained to the assembled leaders that the application had been passed by the Sapulpa Metropolitan Area Planning Committee (SMAPC) on Oct. 23, 2018, by a 7-1 vote, and amended to have “No Loitering” signs on the property. The location is 19 N. Park (Park/Hobson) and is a small, 2-unit office with plenty of parking. The city leaders passed it unanimously.
The loudest discussion was concerning the application for William Newton for a Special Use Permit for a commercial Medical Marijuana Dispensary at 14920 W. Highway 66. Ms. White explained that this SUP had been passed by the SMAPC by a 7-1 vote, with approximately the same regulations, except for phasing in parking. She said there had been some complaints about it, and some of the people were in the audience.
Then, Steven Mitchell of Woodbine Rd. took to the podium, stating that he represented 14 homeowners and 15 children in the neighborhood, all of whom were opposed to the dispensary being allowed in their area. He said 4 homes abut the property, and “I don’t want this in my backyard!” He said he didn’t think the folks on the council would want it in their backyards, either. He asked when the opening date was, if legal recreational marijuana might one day be sold at the site and if it could be rezoned for agriculture (to grow pot plants).
Attorney for the City, David Widdoes, said that current state laws dictated that medical marijuana was legal, and this SUP was specifically for medicinal use. If there were a new law, new SUPs would have to be approved. Brunk continued complaining how the SPD doesn’t patrol his area and his street is a dark and narrow cul-de-sac, and the slow police response time in the city-annexed area. Brunk further asked the council, “if there are needles and paraphernalia on our property, who we gonna get to clean that up?”
Mr. Nelson assured the council that there would be “no needles. It is medical marijuana, buy it and leave, that’s the law.” Patients “wouldn’t be allowed to hang around,” and if they tried the police would be called. Nelson also said there would be an “armed guard to protect the employees,” and the dispensary would sell “lotions, pills, edibles and smokable” marijuana. And that he would “welcome a police presence.”
The newest member of the council, Councilwoman Carla Gunn, asked if Nelson understood the concerns of the neighbors, and he said he did, as long as they understand there will be “no needles, no parties.”
City Attorney David Widdoes asked Nelson to tell the group what he’d had to do to qualify for owning a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. He said there was an extensive background check, through OSBI and FBI, fingerprinting and more. There can be no school within 1,000 ft of dispensary. Nelson had to buy his property (to have an address for the forms) even before he received any approvals to proceed.
Police Chief Mike Haefner said there were 5-6 officers on duty at all times, and 5-10 minutes’ response time over the whole area they patrol and reminded attendees that this is a new law and “we all still have questions.”
The members of the city council present were Hugh Naifeh, Lou Martin, Jr., Marty Cummings, Bruce Bledsoe, John Anderson, Craig Henderson, Carla Stinnett, Carla Gunn, and Mayor Reg Green. They also passed consent items such as the minutes of the last meeting and budgeted items in the amount of $585,033.04.
The next meeting of the Sapulpa City Council will be Nov. 19th at 7p.m.
