Chamber says ‘no’ to marijuana dispensaries

Dear Editor:

The Claremont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has discussed the idea of a medical marijuana facility in Claremont.  We have taken a look at the impact of such a facility on both our community and local economy.  At this time, we feel that we cannot support any ordinance allowing a medical marijuana facility in the city due to the fact that it is a violation of federal law.  The Supreme Court has upheld that even though some states, including California, have legalized medicinal marijuana, businesses individuals may still be prosecuted at the federal level for all marijuana related crimes including distribution, sales and trafficking.  The Claremont Chamber of Commerce feels that it is a terrible business practice to open up our city, landowners and business districts to potential federal raids and prosecution. 

In addition to the violation of federal law, the Claremont Chamber of Commerce also has several other concerns in regards to a medical marijuana dispensary in the city. 

The concerns are:

1.  Safety—Other dispensaries in the state have been targets of burglaries and robberies, not just in the facility, but also “follow home” crimes where the patrons of such dispensaries have been the victims.  We are concerned about the impact this potential crime would have on industrial, commercial and residential areas as well as the impact on the time commitment of our police department.

2.  Employment—Businesses have a right to protect themselves and their customers by drug testing their employees to help maintain the quality and safety of their work environment.  We are concerned with the issues that have surfaced in regards to the use of “medicinal marijuana” and protecting employer’s rights in terms of testing and workplace use of marijuana.

3.  Health—Due to the fact that these facilities are not regulated pharmacies, it is unclear who would be in charge of enforcement of any health issues of such a facility including amounts, quality, cleanliness, etc.  The Chamber is concerned that either these issues would be the responsibility of city staff, or even worse, go completely unmonitored.

In conclusion, the Claremont Chamber of Commerce will not support any ordinance allowing a medical marijuana dispensary in the City of Claremont as long as it violates the federal laws of The United States of America.  Allowing such a facility would open up our local economy and community to federal raids and prosecution as well as creating the other issues as mentioned.  We feel that these other issues would need to be addressed should the federal government ever change their position on medical marijuana, but until such time, the Claremont Chamber of Commerce is adamantly opposed to any ordinance allowing a medical marijuana dispensary in the city of Claremont.

Claremont Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors