Friendly with weed, indeed

Two men who want to open a nonprofit medical-marijuana dispensary gave a presentation about their proposed business, Grantville Greens, at the April 21 Navajo Community Planners, Inc., (NCPI) meeting.

Nick Hosig and Ron Miller were the first prospective dispensary operators to address the community-planning group since the San Diego City Council approved the dispensary ordinance on February 25. They were joined by Ramon Baguio, who said he specialized in conditional-use permits and was helping them. Hosig and Miller said they planned to apply for a permit on April 24, the first day applications were accepted.

The ordinance allows 130 dispensaries, with a maximum of four per council district. Grantville, which is in District 7, is the only Navajo-community neighborhood where zoning allows dispensaries. There are no pot shops currently in Grantville, according to sources including residents, Yelp , and the weedmaps home page.

Hosig and Miller propose operating an approximately 700-square-foot dispensary on the 4400 block of Glacier Avenue. They began renting the site four years ago to "try and block large out-of-town pot shops from trying to do business in a community we live [in] and care about," Hosig wrote in an April 21 letter to Dan Smith, a planning-group member and Grantville property owner.

The three-page letter described the proposal motivated by "seeing the benefits of medical cannabis" as Hosig's now-deceased sister and mother battled cancer. Hosig wrote that his sister Heidi stopped taking nine pills, including painkillers, and "lived eight and a half years when she was originally given a 10 percent chance of living five years."

The dispensary would also serve as a resource center that offered nutritional counseling, reading materials, support groups, and delivery service. Hosig wrote that Grantville Greens' mission is "to serve our older patients who need the cannabis for legitimate illnesses."

At the meeting, Hosig said patients would be seen on a one-on-one basis. Miller said they wouldn't advertise, and the nonprofit status meant money would go back into the business or be donated. After paying for the product, money could be spent on other medicine for patients or giving away $100 grocery cards for Vons or Food 4 Less, he said.

NCPI chair Matt Adams asked about their education. Hosig has a bachelor’s degree in business management and worked locally in hotel management and for some restaurants. Miller said his bachelor’s degree is in medical research and he "had a good run with businesses."

When planner Tim Flodin asked about first-year revenue projections, Miller said, "It's hard to say. We want to see the money go back" into the business.

Hosig said they plan to "start slow and make sure the community is all right with it."

Eric Aguilera was among the members of the public who asked questions. With a citywide limit of 130 dispensaries, "how do you expect to supply the demand?" he asked.

Hosig said they could expand. Miller said, "We’re not looking to take on every patient."