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Council tables marijuana business license

Members of the Whitehall Town Council will need more time to decide if they will approve a business license for a medical marijuana dispensary.

At their monthly meeting Monday, the Council voted unanimously to table the approval of a business license for Peace of Mind Dispensary. The proposed business would be owned by Chris Nelson and Martina Iwen and located at 401 E. Legion. The grower for the business would be David Nelson of Livingston. The business would be open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In a presentation to the Council, Chris Nelson said he had an informal petition in support of the business with just over 100 names.

He said while the topic is controversial, this would be a business that sells a prescription drug.

Hensleigh and Town Clerk/Treasurer Summer Fellows both discussed the process of changing an ordinance related to federal funding that was an issue when someone wanted to open a dispensary in the past and said the process will take three months.

Hensleigh added tabling the issue will give council members a month to decide if they would take an ordinance off the books as well as giving business owners a month to get information out to the public, as well as a possible informational meeting before the February Council meeting.

Nelson and town officials also discussed the possible new business becoming a hot button issue on Facebook.

Nelson said he did not feel the concerns addressed on Facebook were worth responding to.

Hensleigh said they should have the town meeting to see who shows up.

"It's so easy to talk on Facebook and to throw zingers, but to me, it's kind of a chicken s*** way of doing things. If you are not going to come in here and speak to me or speak to the council, do you really have a concern," she said.

During his presentation, Nelson said he wanted the council to know they do not want to run a dirty or shady business.

"We are already small business owners. We want people to feel comfortable. We want the community to feel comfortable. We want you to think this is a nice place to visit and shop.

New Council member Pat Peterson said this is her first night on Council and she's already had people calling her up and telling her they do not want it and asked why the business needed to be in Whitehall.

Nelson responded by saying, "why not Whitehall?" adding he firmly believes the town needs more business.

Nelson is confident this business is going to work and will also draw outside money into the town.

"And it's money we will turn around and spend in Whitehall," he said.

Council member Shawn Hoagland said this has been the first issue since he has been on the council that has had people calling him on the phone or stopping him in the grocery store.

Nelson said he is sure members of the Council have received static, and to not vote yes if it's bad for their constituents but wanted to ask what reason they are giving against the dispensary.

"Do they think it's going to be harmful to the community and if so why? This business wouldn't be any different than the pharmacy around the corner...I haven't heard one legitimate reason why, other than they are fearful and I'm not sure why," he said.

 

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