San Diego's First Legal Pot Shop Wins Appeal, Moves Forward

A Green Alternative will be located at 2335 Roll Drive in Otay Mesa.

A San Diego State University professor who obtained the first conditional use permit for the operation of a medical marijuana dispensary is cleared to move forward with the business, according to a report from KPBS.

In October, the San Diego Development Service Commission approved the City of San Diego's first medical marijuana dispensary license. SDSU business professor Dr. David Blair was the man behind it all.

Blair, a business ethics professor, applied for the license to open A Green Alternative on Roll Drive in Otay Mesa. But Barbara Gordon, a North County drug specialist, appealed the ruling.

The city's Planning Commission, however, denied the appeal unanimously Thursday, KPBS said.

A Green alternative will be the second legal dispensary in San Diego county and the first for the city, according to KPBS.

β€œWe’re just so thrilled, grateful and humbled by it,” Blair said in October of the permit approval.

Having been diagnosed with HIV and PID, Blair uses medicinal marijuana and recalls having to drive to Los Angeles to get his prescription filled legally.

He said he is dedicated to following the rules and setting an example for other marijuana dispensaries that may come to San Diego.

β€œWe play by the rules. We always intend to play by the rules and we will only play by the rules,” Blair said.

Opponents said the one-story commercial building where the dispensary will be located is not the right place for a pot shop.

But according to KPBS, the nearest neighborhood is nearly five miles away, and to get to the nearest residence - a prison - one would have to travel two miles.

The dispensary will be located at 2335 Roll Drive #4 near near Siempre Viva Road just east of State Route 905.

Blair noted that when he is teaching, he does not medicate the day before so he can be alert for his classes.

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