The Green Angel Collective, a medical marijuana dispensary, is currently operating in violation of Malibu law. This blatant disregard for our local law endangers our children’s safety and diminishes nearby property values, to say nothing of the obvious public safety concerns it creates.
Last June, the Malibu City Planning Commission denied the Green Angel an operating permit because they failed to meet the City’s requirements, which prohibit any dispensary from being within a 1,000-foot radius of a park. The Green Angel’s current location, at 21355 Pacific Coast Highway, is within less than a 1,000-foot radius of Las Flores Creek Park. Unfortunately, instead of simply finding a suitable alternative location to operate, they have instead chosen to appeal their denial to the City Council.
Even more troubling than their near proximity to the park is the fact that there was evidence presented that on-site marijuana consumption is very likely occurring, yet another violation of Malibu law. Certainly our community and its children deserve to be free of the dangers associated with people getting high and then taking to the streets, especially along the already dangerous and busy Pacific Coast Highway.
In the coming weeks there will be a vigorous debate over medical marijuana. Don’t be fooled. That is not what this is about. This is about one thing and one thing only, which is whether this particular dispensary can meet the requirements to operate at their current location. Under Malibu’s existing law they cannot.
There is no doubt that our community stands with those who need medical marijuana, myself included. We, however, need to ensure that in honoring that commitment, we also protect against the damage that can be done when the law is not followed.
Randy Turtle