Approved by voters in November 2012, Initiative 502 allows the legal production and sale of marijuana for medical and recreational use.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board has developed rules to regulate the production and sales of marijuana ruling that ‘pot shops’ cannot be located within 1000 ft. in any direction from a school, park, childcare center, arcade, public transit facility, or playground. The city’s proposed locations for marijuana retail outlets that fall within the rules are identified in yellow in the attached map.  As you can see on the map, the area around 23^rd and Union is outside of the restrictions and could therefore be zoned for one, two, three or more pot shops. To my knowledge “Saturation” limits have not been addressed by the rule-makers. In other words, there possibly could be 10 shops in a four block radius.

Several citizens working and living in the area have expressed significant concern about and opposition to the city’s estimated location of pot shops in the 23^rd and Union area.

EastPAC Board member Randy Beaulieu is coordinator for the Central Seattle Drug Free Communities Coalition, works in whose mission it is “To unite the community in an effort to create a safe community free of alcohol, drugs and violence.”  Randy says that “research indicates that when perception of harm decreases, actual use increases.”

His comments were included in a recent KUOW radio interview:

http://kuow.org/post/could-23rd-union-become-pot-central

The 23^rd and Union folks have indicated that the presence of these pot shops in their neighborhood gives a negative message about their neighborhood.  “Why the CD, and not neighborhoods with higher income residents?” is the ages old question.

The Liquor Control Board is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, October 8th, in City Hall’s Bertha Knight Landes Room.   It is important that citizens attend to have their voices heard!

I-502:  Rulemaking on Marijuana Production and Sales

WA State Liquor Control Board HEARING

Public Meeting – October 8 @ City Hall @ 6 PM

2011 Cappy’s Boxing Club 501c3 adopted the empty lot across the street. This property, owned by the Good Shepard Lutheran Church, was filled with tall standing weeds hiding underlying junk.  The lot cleanup, sponsored by Scott Meredith, provided Boxers the opportunity to practice Life Skills.  These Skills included  digging, hauling, carrying and developing Community Pride.

Cappy’s Boxing Club 501c3 continued to foster the lot.  The Club established a garbage can, and the lot shifted into an informal Community Dog Park.  Cappy’s Boxing Club mowed it in the summers, emptied the garbage can all seasons and conducted Old School Training Sessions in the space.  The Good Shepard Lutheran Church continued to use its property for overflow parking during special events.

September 2013, with one days notice, Cappy’s Boxing Gym learned that the lot had been transferred to a Nickelsville encampment.  Immediately Community Change  happened.

The lot filled with tent-type structures, a pallet fence, Honey Pots and new residents.  Last week a Cappy’s Boxing Gym Member reported his car, parked at E Pine and 22nd, had his car broken into while working out at Cappy’s.  He returned home and tracked his phone to the Nickelsville encampment.

Cappy’s Boxing Gym owner, Cap Kotz, crossed the street to the Nickelsville encampment to ask questions.  What happened?  How had this Community Change come about.  Seems the answer is the theft seems to have been at the hands of a visitor to the area.  Clearly the visitor visited the Nickelsville encampment, though no one seems to know who this visitor was.

Cappy’s Boxing Club 501c3 continues to uphold its commitment to the lot once empty and weed filled, aka informal dog park aka Nickelsville encampment.  Stay tuned for Nickelsviulle encampment 22nd & E union Resident Stories as hosted by CBC (Cappy’s Boxing Club 501c3)  If you wish to support our efforts, please check out our website cappysgym.com and link to Cappy’s Boxing cCub

We are a new paint your own pottery, mosaics and glass fusion studio! Walk-in anytime during business hours and create some hand-made art! Plus we offer classes, workshops, camps, birthday parties, ladies night out and other events. We provide all materials and supplies including bisqueware, stamps, stencils, idea books, mosaic and glass fusion supplies and more. Ideal for kids and adults. We also showcase local artists’ work on our gallery walls. We hope to create with you soon!

Emerald City Fired Arts Studio & Gallery

www.emeraldcityfiredarts.com

3333 Rainier AVE S

Seattle, WA 98144

206-721-0450

Tues-Sat 11am-7pm

Sun 12pm-6pm