A new medical marijuana retailer proposes to open at 4631 41st St., next to Jackson-Reed High School in the Tenleytown neighborhood.  This location is almost immediately adjacent to CommuniKids Preschool and Two Birds Tenleytown (which operates a preschool program (PKEEP) for DCPS), and in close proximity to Deal Middle School, Janney Elementary, and St. Albans Early Childhood Center.  

The new marijuana business would be in addition to at least THREE existing cannabis/medical marijuana stores already in the neighborhood:   Havana Tobacco (4425 Wisconsin Ave.), Smoke Island (4905 Wisconsin), and The Dispensary (4932 Wisconsin Ave.).  These businesses are all located in close proximity to schools, preschools, and daycare centers in the Tenleytown/AU Park neighborhood.  

On May 7, an 18-year old Jackson-Reed HS senior was shot at the CVS on Wisconsin Ave., in the immediate vicinity of the proposed dispensary.  He was taken to a hospital, where he died the next day. Also on May 8, there was another incident of gun shots fired near Chesapeake Street and CVS/Whole Foods.  

In light of these tragic and disturbing events, and the known presence of guns and drugs in a busy area traversed by thousands of teenagers and children every day, it would be irresponsible to allow a new marijuana dispensary to open near Jackson-Reed and area schools.  See  https://jrbeacon.com/24701/featured-stories/dealers-fake-ids-and-friends-its-easy-to-get-weed/;  
https://jrbeacon.com/24703/featured-stories/survey-finds-widespread-marijuana-use-at-jr/

More broadly, DC law permitting dispensaries to be sited 400 feet away from places where children learn and play is dangerous, unreasonable, and also contrary to the federal 1,000 feet "drug free school zone" standard.  

If DC wants to continue to maintain control over its own governance, it must enact and enforce reasonable laws to protect its citizens, and especially children, throughout the District.  It is dangerous and unreasonable to allow dispensaries to be sited near schools, which the District has repeatedly done in recent years, including a dispensary in the immediate vicinity of Basis DC, and another in the Palisades, near multiple schools.  

We see that there are significant business and lobbying interests behind the cannabis and marijuana scene in Washington, DC.  Studentsj, parents, educators, and residents of the Tenleytown neighborhood and throughout DC are joining to say:  Profits should not be prioritized over the safety and well-being of children.   

We call on the Mayor, Council, and the DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board to do something about this situation.  In particular:

1.  Amend DC law to raise the buffer zone from 400 feet to 1,000 feet between any cannabis/marijuana retailer and a school or childcare/daycare facility (and at a minimum--close a loophole by adding “child development facility” to the list of education facilities protected by the 400 feet requirement - https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0522 
2. Change existing law (D.C. Code § 7-1671.06g) that prevents most concerned residents from protesting cannabis applications before the ABCA 
3. Reject the application to site a new marijuana dispensary at 4631 41st St. NW.