Northeast Jackson moved one step closer to getting a medical marijuana dispensary. The Jackson City Council's Zoning Committee approved a re-zoning application so a dispensary could operate at 4775 Old Canton Road.
The address is the site of the old Valley Bank and Eastover Bank locations and sits directly across the street from a neighborhood. The Lefleur East Foundation and Sheffield Area Homeowner's Association opposed the re-zoning.
Rootdown IV, LLC submitted an application to rezone the property from C-1 to C-2. STRS Mark, LLC owns the property. Trevor Pettennude of Denver, Colorado owns the company. The members of the Rootdown LLC are Michael Yenzer of Denver, Colorado and Scott Noblin.
The Planning Board unanimously approved the application on June 28.
Note: Esther Ainsworth was not speaking into her microphone so she is somewhat difficult to hear.
All City Council members except Aaron Banks attended Monday's Zoning Committee meeting.
Rootdown's attorney, the attractive Amanda Tollison of Lord Snow, addressed the committee. Ms. Tollison said Rootdown wanted to place a medical cannabis dispensary at the address. She said the property was bounded on three sides by C-2 properties. She said a "substantial change in the land use character" of the area justified the rezoning. The dispensary will meet all buffer requirements of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act.
Ms. Tollison claimed there was no other properties in Northeast Jackson that would allow Rootdown to comply with the required buffers from schools and churches. However, Michael Kinard said Rootdown was going to place another dispensary in a building by Regions Bank on Lakeland Drive.
Dr. James Hayes was scheduled to speak in opposition but he did not appear at the meeting.
Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote asked Mr. Kinard how many dispensaries Rootdown planned to have in the Jackson metro area. Mr. Kinard said answered "five." He said mentioned the Lakeland Drive site (6:15), Byram, and Ridgeland. However, Ridgeland opted out of allowing dispensaries. He mentioned competitors operate on I-55N and East County Line Road.
"I hate to sound like an old fuddy daddy" said Councilman Kenneth Stokes as he argued against the dispensary. He said it would be a catalyst for the area's deterioration. He said businesses are already moving out. "It's hard to keep Kroger's there and the bookstore is moving out," said Mr. Stokes.
Ward 4 Councilman Bryan Grizzell practically begged Mr. Kiner to place a dispensary in West Jackson. "There are a lot of opportunity out there along the Highway 80 corridor," said Mr. Grizzell. The Rootdown representative said he had not explored the possibility.
Mr. Kinard said the dispensary would have limited hours and full-time security.
Mr. Foote said he had "mixed emotions" about the application. He noted the opposition to it but said "on the other hand it is legal and was made legal by the state. My inclination is to go along with it."
The motion to approve the re-zoning passed 4-1 as only Councilman Stokes voted in opposition.
Kingfish Note: Good job, guys and gals, good job. You placed it literally in front of a neighborhood. Let's see, let's place a vape shop next to a neighborhood. Noticed the trash running in and out of it lately? There are all too frequent shootings and sometimes homicides at the three gas stations on Northside Drive by the interstate. No problem. Let's put a liquor store there. Goodwill? Who cares if it becomes a bum magnet because people drop off their donations behind the store when it is closed.
The Clowns on the Council whine about people and businesses fleeing to Brandon and Madison. Well, this is one way to make them leave. Allow certain businesses to operate next to homes. Make crime hot spots worse. They don't have a clue.
50 comments:
Thanks for your vote, Mr. Stokes.
Dope Boyz Dispensary.
Illegal dispensaries are likely already nearby.
That location is more than 1000 feet from Jackson Academy? JA is literally a block away.
What's the problem? It's just a pharmacy dispensing medicine, right? What could go wrong with that.
For the umpteenth time, rezoning is not about whether you like the project proposed for the area. It is about determining whether the area has changed in a way that merits rezoning. I would assume the city has not updated its comprehensive plan in decades. When you update the comprehensive plan, that is when you make these changes. When done haphazardly like this, the law sets the bar pretty high and the courts don't like spot zoning. I don't see this surviving.
Why are they treating these places any different than the CBD stores that sell the hemp “flower” enriched with hemp derived THC?
They also sell the THC infused edibles everywhere, including Rankin.
I bought THC gummies from several stores in rankin including the CBD store by Castlewoods.
There is one right off Hwy 18 in Jackson across from the Angry Rooster.
Brandon doesn’t allow the sale of the THC infused flower, but Pearl does.
These goofy laws are so weird.
No offense Kingfish, but why weren't you on this story before the zoning hearing and before the city council hearing? Surprised you didn't shed light on this project when the community still had a chance to mobilize and make their voices heard. Too late now....damage is done
Kenny Stokes is the only voice of reason on the council. Wtf is happening. Has hell frozen over?
Stokes is the only person voting against a weed store within shambling distance of Eastover,and Meadowbrook Highlands? Is River Hills going to add a toking room to accommodate the new fad?
Didn't know about it til I saw Sun story. No one tipped me off to it either.
No different than a Walgreens or CVS going in there. Selling legal drugs to help the sick, mentally ill and those in chronic pain. Jackson is just radically progressive and ahead of the curve.
39211 is imploding. It will be like South Jackson soon. List your properties while you can.
Oh please! You sound like the Rankin County preachers claiming that liquor stores will bring in the riff raff, and vagrants will be hanging out at the store. Colorado and Washington have stores located in neighborhoods, and they are just like any other business located in the vicinity. No vagrants, no riff raff, no problems. Get a life!
The whole world is going to smell like weed. It’s unreal, it’s literally everywhere.
Weed has been sold in Jackson for the last 20 years with no repercussions. Nothing new here.
My Madison home value just jumped another $25k. Will Chowke's dope boys rob the place (competition)? They keep a lot of money on hand because banks can't do business with them.
1:43, I have just spent a month in Colorado, and there is not one damn spot anywhere without a stinking filthy vagrant pothead in every square meter or a dozen. You are so full of it your cousins' eyes must be brown.
Denver, just like DC and SF, now has an ENORMOUS problem with unchecked homeless drug addicts and the mentally ill and crime. You build it, and they will come.
Good grief. Or, is Portland a utopia????
That post is NUTS.
Denver is now ranked dead last for places to raise a family. It's ranked 149th out of 151 for home atmosphere. It's ranked 134th out of 151 for safety, including number of cops, violent crime, shooting, sex offenders. And that fresh mountain air now REEKS like an outhouse. Denver went 150 years backwards with legalizing dope and handcuffing cops.
1:43
I will tell you this. That dispensary better have a jam up security system and some high speed shooters on staff cause the stickup boys gonna give ‘em a try.
More Jackson greasy palms.
If it's across the street from a home's back yard, vs. front yard, then it must be ok. Right?
It’s pretty much a pharmacy. Damn, y’all (including you, Kingfish) are some drama queens.
And no, I have no stake in this business, nor do I have any plans to shop there. I’m just noting how ridiculous y’all are acting over this non-issue.
The myths regarding the supposed medicinal value of pot gets busted more each day.
smoke 'em boys!
agreed, there are some boutique high dispensaries, but for the most part it's washed up hippes and wookies who have been following Panic for far too long, and I love Panic. I have seen the same thing in Colorado and the people that tell you differently have skin in the game. Most Colorado towns now despise legalizing pot. Sure the pot heads got what they want, and to be honest it can help a lot of terminal illness and other people medicinally, but for the most part it's stinky pot heads who need their weed...er, "medicine".
12:38
Per Google Earth, that site is 1500 feet from J.A, as the crow flies and 1900 feet from J.A if you go down Winchester to Ridgewood.
@2:05 I spent a week in 3 different cities in Colorado this spring and didn’t smell it once. They also have many cities in the state that opt out of recreational sales, and some don’t allow dispensaries for either.
They also have strict laws about public consumption. The same can’t be said for Jackson, New Orleans and other places in the South where skunk is prevalent.
It’s probably to service M-Bar customers if truth be known.
Y’all feel free to look up the stats regarding legal dispensaries and how they’re noted to lessen crime in the radial areas they inhabit. Also, enjoy the tax dollars. MS isn’t the first (but surprisingly not the last!) to legalize and having lived in other places that allow even recreational purchase I can tell you those communities benefit remarkably. Not a total fan of the aesthetics of some of the stores but Rootdowns look really nice!
4:02- by that logic let's just legalize heroin and call it a day. Imagine the tax benefits! And since it will be legal it will by definition reduce crime. Win win.
Y’all feel free to look up the stats regarding legal dispensaries and how they’re noted to lessen crime ...
You made the claim. Provide a link.
4:14 PM working the straw man fallacy hard this afternoon.
'No one tipped (you) off'? Probably because it's no big deal.
The dispensaries are operating all over the state. Surprised Jackson is behind the curve.
So far, I've been a customer in Oxford, Olive Branch and Hernando. All three are super nice facilities, very well secured (quite impressionable) and well-staffed with knowledgeable employees.
Two forms of ID are required to enter including the authorization card issued by the State Department of Health. You don't walk in and wander around. You're on cameras from the minute you pull within forty feet of the facilities, as well as inside, you're escorted through locked doors and products are under lock and key in 'safe rooms'.
Every transaction is computerized and available statewide at all dispensaries. An authorized purchaser is allowed to purchase only a certain quantity per month at all stores combined. Very, very tight restrictions, processes and protocol.
2:21, just keep believing that anywhere in Mississippi is better than Denver. Hilarious
2:21 and 2:38 are bringing the truth.
'Medical' marijuana is not the problem. The MS law allowing 'medical' marijuana did not instantaneously create massive demand. Far from it.
The reason these dispensaries are popping up everywhere is in anticipation of the impending legalization of RECREATIONAL marijuana. The pattern has been very consistent and very clear in other states. Once the population decides to allow 'medical' marijuana, it will not take long before laws are passed allowing legalized recreational marijuana.
This is where the dominos start to fall, and quickly... and irreversibly.
A drug-dependent populace is not compatible with quality of life and a stable middle class. Period.
See "Denver, CO" and "Portland, OR" and other progressive paradises rapidly turned into slums.
"You will know them by their fruits."
It is a convenient location. A lot of the moms will be able to buy their weed when they drop off the kids at Jackson Academy.
3:22, I'll just ask you to Google "Colorado quality of life decline" and go with the data. Denver, the Springs, etc have enormous problems. And, it's not like the potheads couldn't get their (LMAO) "medicine" before. It's just condoning the drug use which exacerbates mental illness and homelessness. The cops can't do anything about the now endless search for a new and better high. And weed today is NOTHING like the old stoner stuff. Please.
There is a net outflow of folks from CO due to the crime/drug problem and cost of housing, just like Cali. And the ones moving are the ones paying taxes. You can't dispute the decline in WeedLand USA.
@7:26
Your opinion is invalid since you can’t cite a single source to back it up.
I hate to announce some historic facts, but back around 1975 to 1981 there was a cabal of Northeast Jackson
White kids that that controlled all the drugs in that exact same spot.
The big time "dealers" seemed to be from Manhattan Academy ( AKA Council 3) and Callaway High.
Many of the lesser ( always soft and scared) businessman seemed to be from Jackson Prep, Jackson Academy
and Woodland Hills,
At the end, the South Jackson Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives realized that area was a lucrative market ... and set up their own shop very close to the famous Pizza joint "Mr Gatti’s."
Ancient history, but nothing new ... only legal if one now has a little card.
I was invited to one of the initial investment "pitches" for one of the grow facilities that was being built by out of state companies. Their "pitch" was that they would get one of the first few medical grow facilities open and running in anticipation of recreational marijuana being legalized within the next 5 or so years. Then the investors would see the return on their investment once it went recreational and they could sell their already permitted and operational grow facilities for multiple times the money over their investment "as we have done in other states". It has never been about the medical marijuana, it's always been seeking recreational legalization. That's the whole end goal of the "medicine". I passed. I am for highly controlled legalized medicinal use, it definitely has its place. Free market recreational use is not good in my opinion. I go to Colorado often and have seen it's effects and if you watch the people pushing medical use very hard, they are just recreational users wanting to make it a free for all.
Our legislators sold their souls to out of state interests to tap into more tax revenues. Like lottery money, which pet projects will it fund?
I hate to announce some historic facts ...
Opinions and recollections on your part not substantiated as facts.
'Ahead of the curve'? Jackson is months BEHIND the curve. There are dispensaries all over this state. Google is your friend.
The dispensaries almost outnumber the patients. They all won't stay in business and outright legalization won't be happening anytime soon, if ever.
If we look at Oregon, the front runner in legalizing recreational marijuana and their recent decision to decriminalize possession of personal use amounts of "hard drugs" we can see the inherent problems that brings. Their approach has failed, as has Portugal's attempt to decriminalize drug use.
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Fpolitics%2Farchive%2F2023%2F07%2Foregon-drug-decriminalization-results-overdoses%2F674733%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520consequences%2520of%2520Measure%2
All these dope places are not going to make it.
We are already hearing the scrip #’s are not coming in
at a good pace. Just because it’s now legal in the Sipp
doesn’t mean all folks in the Sipp are going to sign up for it.
Of course, ANYONE with 1% brain function knows the
long term goal on all this $hit is to make it legal for
recreational use just like in some other states.
Then the pot places will make $.
I’ll wager in 5-10 yrs we’ll start hearing from our legislatures
stuff like this: “well, recreational pot is legal in Tenn, Louisiana
(or wherever) and we are losing tax revenue if we don’t make it
legal in the Sipp.”
And, yes, I know it’s not legal in Tenn or Louisiana yet but I’m sure
it will be one day.
4:02 how about asking people in CO and CA how it’s working to fight their crime?
There will be a heavy price to pay down the road for legalizing medical marijuana and ultimately recreational marijuana. Increased mental illness including psychosis, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Increased respiratory disease. Increased gastrointestinal problems. Just talk to any ER doctor.
What state can we move to that doesn't allow medical marijuana?
According to the MS Sec of State website the principal of Rootdown, LLC is Scott Noblitt (not Noblin) of Golden, CO. He is originally from Jackson.
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