Man to open marijuana collective regardless of what city says

RAINIER, Ore. - The city of Rainier said "no" to a new marijuana collective but the owner doesn't care and he's opening it anyway even without the proper license.

Nick Clark plans to open "Nature's Choice" at a prime location, right off the main highway. He still has a lot of work to do to turn the old video store, Rainier Moviehouse, into a resource center for medical marijuana like the one he runs in Astoria.

"I think Oregon voters voted this in for the patients and now they need a safe place to go without having to go to the streets," Clark said.

Cardholding marijuana patients could come to the collective to pick up medicine, maybe a t-shirt and video or network with each other; however, they won't be able to use the marijuana there. But neighboring businesses still aren't thrilled.

"He came over, introduced himself – seems like a really nice guy and described all of the security he's going to have," said Cary Wedell, a chiropractor next door. "And everything that went through my head is if you need that much security, it doesn't sound like it's going to be a really great neighbor."

"We don't take denying a business license lightly," said Mayor Jerry Cole. "By no means are we saying medical marijuana doesn't have a medical benefit. We don't want to be liable for issuing a business license in an illegal matter."

"Well, yes, it's against the federal law, but in Oregon it's legal," Clark said. "And city and states and municipalities don't have the right to uphold federal law. That's not their job."
That's why Clark says he still plans to open even though he's facing a $500 fine every day.

"I could be hiding in a garage or a basement selling this out to anybody, but I'm not," he said. "I'm trying to make this legal, do it right, give safe access to the patient."

No matter what, Clark says he plans to open April 17.

According to the state, there are close to 1,000 medical marijuana cardholders in Columbia County.

It is against the law in Oregon to sell or dispense marijuana. In this case, Clark says this is a resource center. Patients reimburse the grower for his cost so technically they're not buying it and Clark's business doesn't turn a profit.