The director of Purple Cross Rx, the medical marijuana
dispensary that Hollister officials claim is operating illegally
downtown, plans to meet with county officials next week to discuss
the option of relocating outside the city limits.
The director of Purple Cross Rx, the medical marijuana dispensary that Hollister officials claim is operating illegally downtown, plans to meet with county officials next week to discuss the option of relocating outside the city limits.
Scott McPhail said he has a meeting scheduled next week with San Benito County Planning Director Art Henriques and assistant director Byron Turner with the goal of eventually submitting a formal proposal to the county. Henriques and Turner were in a meeting and unavailable for comment on deadline.
McPhail said his preference is to keep the dispensary operating at 335 San Benito St., near the intersection of Fourth and San Benito streets.
“That’s not to say we’re giving up here,” he said from his third-floor offices. “My attorney has assured me that I can stay open as long as I want. But if the county is accepting, I have no problem picking up and setting up there.”
The Hollister City Council in January passed an emergency ordinance banning the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city and this week passed a regular ordinance containing the same prohibitions. Last month, city officials issued a compliance order to McPhail and his landlord ordering the dispensary to close within 30 days or face fines. That deadline is Monday, Feb. 8.
Asked if Purple Cross Rx would be grandfathered in and therefore allowed to operate at its current location because the city ordinance banning such operations was enacted after the dispensary opened, City Manager Clint Quilter said, “They weren’t operating legally so they’re not grandfathered in.”
McPhail said he was encouraged by the county planning department’s rapid response to his request for a meeting.
“It was promising that they called me back and gave me a meeting date right away,” he said. “That’s something the city never did. (The county) called me back and gave me a chance. They haven’t banned it like the city has.”
McPhail said he has five possible locations in the county where he could open a dispensary.
For the full story, see the Pinnacle on Friday.
