Is Glens Falls ready for marijuana?
Check out a close encounter with an ostrich
The Front Page
Morning Update
Friday, June 4, 2021
By Ken Tingley
It appears that Hometown, USA is not ready for a recreational marijuana dispensary.
Downtown businessman Robin Barkenhagen has been at the forefront of taking advantage of legalized marijuana in Glens Falls by proposing a retail outlet when the state grants stores a year or so from now. I’ve met Robin a few times when he was running for various political offices with the Green Party and he definitely cares about this community.
But I suspect that overcoming the marijuana stereotype is going to be tough for many in Glens Falls.
During initial meetings with city officials about the business, there appears to be some trepidation for Barkenhagen’s plans to open a dispensary for legalized marijuana. While planning and zoning boards can often be difficult, the added burden of selling a product that has been demonized for decades probably makes it more difficult.
The Planning Board in Glens Falls tabled Barkenhagen’s plans for a dispensary across Glen Street from the Cool Insurance Arena (right down by the bridge to South Glens Falls). The intent was not to get an approval at this stage, just feedback from the board.
Planning Board members raised concerns about traffic and parking at the site. Considering that the building sits across the street from a sports arena that often sees an influx of thousands of people for an event, those concerns seem misguided.
I wonder if the board would have the same concerns if Barkenhagen was opening a dry cleaners?
It would be interesting for the city to conduct a poll and see how many residents approve of a dispensary in the city. I’m guessing many would object.
I’m surprised we have not heard of plans for an initiative of some sort in Washington County. After all, it is an agricultural community.
My guess is that cities like Glens Falls will only get one chance at landing a state dispensary. If officials don’t believe the site Barkenhagen has chosen is suitable - it does seem like a difficult location to get in and out of - then they might want to work with him to find someplace better. Perhaps somewhere on South Street near the new farmer’s market?
Vote for my book
I had another marketing meeting with my publisher - Something or Other Publishing - about my collection of columns that will be coming out in July.
They are planning a promotional trailer to promote the book, which sounds kind of cool.
SOOP’s formula for selling books is to get the email addresses of all those who might be interested in the author and his work. That’s why I’ve been hounding so many of you to vote for my book on the SOOP website.
So if you haven’t voted yet, click here and tap in your email address. Get two or three of your friends to do it, too.
There are over 80 of columns in the book covering the past 30 years and I’m proud to say that the columns have stood the test of time. I selected the columns I felt best told the story of the people who live in our communities. I think you will all enjoy the collection.
Close Encounter
While visiting this really cool game farm outside of San Antonio recently, my wife shot this video of a close encounter of the Ostrich kind. It was so cool, we went back and visited the Ostrich a second time.
Check it out:
How long ago was it that Hillary Clinton came to town and held a packed town hall even at the library? She was so popular that speakers were set up in a window so that the overflow crowd outside of maybe 100 could hear the discussion. Robin asked a question about hemp legalization at the time. Hillary dodged the question but many years later hemp growing was legalized and there are businesses locally growing hemp. Then came medical pot and CBD. Both are in high demand and haven’t caused any significant problems. It seems Robin is in the thoughtful, progressive forefront on this issue and city leaders should listen very carefully to what he has to say because he has been the one who’s been right on this each step of the way.
I personally would hope that there is a difference between a dry cleaner and a recreational marijuana dispensary. I understand the medical uses of marijuana, but I have real reservations for its merely recreational use. I know this position is scoffed at by many these days, but I wonder do we really follow the science? Have you looked at what is on the CDC website concerning the health effects of marijuana? Are we to excoriate people who do not "follow the science" as we have witnessed with the recent COVID pandemic, or is it only the "science" we agree with? This is not a well settled issue by any means. I suggest folks interested should visit the CDC's website on the health effects of marijuana: https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects.html