Cannabis raises child safety concerns

Senate Bill 1531 aims to enforce child safety, causes licensure delays

Local medical marijuana dispensaries are still playing the waiting game since filing for state approval through the Oregon Health Authority March 3. 

High Quality Compassion is the first dispensary in Corvallis to be licensed for operation, but it hasn’t open for business quite yet. 

Brock Binder, the owner of High Quality Compassion, said he is working on renovations to his space on Ninth Street and would like to be open for April 20, the unofficial 4/20 marijuana holiday, but doesn’t think he will make it.

“It was a very strenuous wait, but it’s up to us now,” Binder said.

The Healing Center is another local dispensary that’s still waiting for state approval. Ryan Smith and his business partner Jake Lewis have experienced complications regarding the law in House Bill 3460, which stipulates no dispensary can operate within 1,000 feet of a K-12 school.

Located just two blocks away from The Healing Center is the Community Services Consortium Youth House, which help students, typically aged 16 to 21, who haven’t succeed in a traditional school setting.

“The youth house is an alternative school,” said CSC senior youth advisor Tina Wolf. 

The house often works with Corvallis and Crescent Valley high schools as well as College Hill alternative high school, to offer a different academic environment. They also offer a variety of work experiences, including the Youth Garden where students care for and sell goods at the Corvallis Farmers Market.

“We help students get credits, get their GEDs or re-enroll,” Wolf said. 

Smith said it is up to the state to decide whether or not the Youth House will qualify as a traditional school, which could potentially hinder The Healing Center’s operations. 

“They’re looking into if it classifies as a school, specifically,” Smith said. 

The issue of youth access to cannabis has been a major concern for those who oppose the legalization of dispensaries and for law enforcement officials. 

At Monday’s City Council meeting, Police Chief Jon Sassaman presented the council with an update on medical marijuana. New Senate Bill 1531, following the medial dispensary legalization House bill 3460, restricts child-friendly advertisements of THC products and enforces child-safe containers. 

“If I have concerns, as a chief police in the city of Corvallis, I get concerned about child safety and addiction issues,” Sassaman said. 

Smith said The Healing Center has taken child safety into account.

“We have all the childproof containers, including for the edibles we carry,” Smith said. “Some are more expensive on our side but we want to make sure things don’t get into the wrong hands.”

Sassaman said his concerns, including driving under the influence, are similar to those he has about alcohol use and many are unknown.  

“There are going to be issues that are going to surface that we are going to have to deal with it,” Sassaman said. 

The Senate bill also allows for a moratorium on dispensaries until May 2015. Local legislation of this yearlong ban must be approved and in place by May 1.

While there is not a strong call in Corvallis or movement in Corvallis City Council to enact a moratorium, neighboring Albany, Philomath and Lebanon are in the process. 

Emma-Kate Schaake

City reporter

managing@dailybarometer.com

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Cannabis raises child safety concerns