Public Urged to Attend Dana Point Forum on Marijuana Dispensaries

DANA POINT, CA — A Public Forum will be held at the Dana Point Community Center on Monday, June 20th at 6 p.m. to explore the impacts of permitting cannabis dispensaries in the city.

The panel will be moderated by former Mayor Pro Tem Paul Wyatt and will feature Family Medicine and Addiction Specialist Dr. Daniel Headrick, Foundry Treatment Center CEO Ben Cort, and Scott Chipman, leader of San Diegans for Safe Neighborhoods. A Q & A discussion will follow the panel and be moderated by Wellness and Prevention Center Executive Director Susan Parmelee.

The forum was organized by Marci Mednick, a Community Development Specialist who heads Providence Mission Hospital’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Initiative.

A proposed ballot initiative is currently circulating in Dana Point and, if sufficient signatures are gathered, voters will decide in November whether to allow up to three marijuana dispensaries and grant the City Council discretion to add more.

The advantages cited by proponents are access to marijuana by adults who use marijuana for medical or recreational use (most locals drive to Santa Ana or arrange delivery) and taxes on dispensary sales that will accrue to city coffers.

This week Costa Mesa revealed it is reviewing 65 applications for newly legalized businesses.

According to forum organizer Marci Mednick, “Cannabis dispensaries are not just about providing convenience to adult medical or recreational users. There is much more at stake. Medical research shows that the longer young people can go without exposure to marijuana or other drugs before their brains are fully developed (about age 24), the less chance they will have substance use issues later in life.” She added, “While the initiative names a particular Dana Point resident, the language leaves little doubt it is sponsored by industry insiders.”

One of the dangers of local dispensaries, according to Mednick, is that they increase youth exposure and potentially normalize marijuana use by vulnerable kids.

According to a 2020 study of Washington State teens, “The study participants who felt positively about marijuana and perceived living close to retailers were the most likely to report intentions to use marijuana."

Another issue, and one of the prime reasons Laguna Beach nixed the idea, per Ms. Mednick, is traffic. “Residents were concerned about becoming the South Orange County magnet for dispensary customers, impacting traffic, parking and possibly contributing to impairment issues.”

Dana Point is already a popular tourist and visitor destination, drawing thousands to events like the upcoming Ohana Festival at Doheny Beach. In neighboring San Diego, after the first two years of recreational sales, data shows emergency room visits and youth addiction are increasing, but medical experts in 2019 said: “it’s too early to draw any hard conclusions about legalization’s impact on public health.”

Ms. Mednick is passionate about this subject, especially since youth e-cigarette and substance use is appreciably higher in Orange County coastal communities.

Six years ago, as a mom of two high schoolers, she took action, co-founding the non-profit Wellness and Prevention Center which provides free mental health and prevention services to local high schools and middle schools – where the issue starts.

A long-time advocate for mental health and substance use prevention, Mednick pointed to Providence Mission Hospital’s award-winning public health campaign, Raising Healthy Teens.

She encouraged residents, especially parents, to check the website for facts and tips about marijuana. “Please get the facts about all sides of this issue.” She urged. “Your kids and your community may experience impacts that are just not worth the potential tax revenue.”

The Forum will be held Monday, June 20th at 6 PM at the Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point 92629.