Spectrum L. A. on 9305 VanNess Ave (at Arbor Vitae) in Inglewood, is located one block from a Catholic school that offers Kindergarten through grade 6.

Marijuana dispensary on Van Ness was approved by Planning Commissioner George Dotson—in 2008

A marijuana dispensary recently opened up in a space that was formerly a residential garage. To this day it is only identified by the florescent green cross in its window; there is no sign identifying the dispensary’s name. Nevertheless, a business license search revealed that it is named Spectrum L.A.

Located in the parking lot of F & M Market on the southwest corner of S. Van Ness Avenue and W. Arbor Vitae Street, it opened on November 4 with little fan- fare. Many neighbors have felt it is a nuisance but are fearful of approaching the city departments responsible for allowing and regulating the dispensary, feeling retaliation could occur.

“I had a county worker in here last month, and they have prevented further action until I can prove that the smell of pot is not mine. I told them that the problem is right around the corner but they didn’t believe me,” said one resident who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. The entire time the resident explained the problem, the distinct smell of marijuana remained strong in the outside afternoon air. It was prominent even on the Los Angeles side of Van Ness.

One block away is St. Eugene’s Catholic School, which has daily classes for Kindergarten through 8th grade. Some students walk past the dispensary on their short walk home from school.

The dispensary, however, was no surprise to the City of Inglewood. The ordinance, number 08-19, acted on behalf of the Planning Commission of the City of Inglewood Resolution No. 1528 and dated July 2, 2008, was proposed by Planning Commissioner George Dotson. In the resolution that the Planning Commission approved and recommended to the city council was “the adoption of amendments to Chapter 12 (zoning) of the Inglewood Municipal Code to...permit inpatient dispensing and use of medical marijuana at hospitals and other long-term medical care facilities.”

The resolution which allowed the marijuana dispensary that is causing significant problems for the resident with respect to liability and L.A. County, goes on to state that “the proposed amendments will not constitute...or impose an arbitrary or unfair requirement on a few property owners.” One may well imagine that property owners having to contend with L.A. County officials and perhaps being pushed to suppress an odor not of their causation but which limits their ability to live in peace, heaps “unfair requirements[s]” on a few property owners whose proximity to the drug den that Dotson allowed.

According to his election website, Dotson was also on the Advisory Council of St. Eugene’s, the same church at which the schoolchildren who daily pass the marijuana dispensary also attend daily classes.