school district to weigh in on dispensaries in Grass Valley

High school leaders will consider opposing a medical marijuana
dispensary in Grass Valley during their meeting Wednesday.

Staff for the Nevada Joint Union High School District cited the negative
impact on local youth from the sanctioned sale of medical marijuana in
the resolution that goes before the board of trustees when they meet at
6 p.m. Wednesday at Nevada Union High School, on Ridge Road in Grass
Valley.

The Grass Valley City Council could consider allowing a medical
marijuana dispensary sometime this year, after placing a moratorium on
any such businesses coming into town while an ordinance regulating them
is crafted.

Nevada County similarly put off the issue, and Nevada City banned
dispensaries late last year in a controversial vote. A dispensary
operates in Colfax, in Placer County.

High school district staff is recommending the board oppose the move due
to "the potential impact on the youth of the city of Grass Valley
from the ancillary consequences of the sale of medical marijuana,"
according to the staff report.

Board members requested the resolution because of the effect marijuana
already has on local high school students, said district Superintendent
Ralf Swenson.

"Discipline issues related to marijuana already represent the
majority of the disciplinary actions our district takes," Swenson
said.

"We're concerned the presence of dispensaries in our community sends
the wrong message to students."

The district's concerns will be weighed when council members address the
issue of medical marijuana dispensaries, said Grass Valley Mayor Lisa
Swarthout.

"No one has made up their mind yet," Swarthout said.

The city's ordinance is still in the works, and a date for it to come
before the council isn't set, she added.