City Denies Permit for Medical Marijuana Dispensary

An application for a new medical marijuana dispensary at 2609 De la Vina Street — next to Jedlicka’s and Yellow Belly— was shot down by a City Hall hearing examiner last week, who contended the application was incomplete and that the long walk from the parking lot behind the building to the entrance in front posed security concerns.

Abraham Labbad, the attorney representing applicant Ihab Ghannam, vowed to appeal the ruling to the Planning Commission. Labbad said city officials first mentioned such security concerns last week but never brought them up in all the meetings they’ve had since January. Likewise, Labbad denied withholding any documents in the application. He insisted all the requested documents and by-laws of incorporation were included. He said it appeared city officials were engaged in a “concerted effort” to deny his application.

Under city ordinance, up to three dispensaries can be allowed within city limits at any given time. One by State and Ontare streets has already been approved, though no building permit application has been submitted. Another application is anticipated for 118 North Milpas Street. Landscaping plans are sufficiently ambitious that city officials intend to refer the project to the Architectural Board of Review before deciding whether to issue a dispensary permit.