Proposed medical marijuana dispensary location causing controversy

It’s a plan to build something that doesn’t exist in Harrisburg - a medical marijuana dispensary.

An empty lot at 137 South 17th Street in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood could one day be home to a dispensary.

“This is not the best location,” said Jeannine Peterson, CEO at Hamilton Health Center.

The Hamilton Health Center is right across the street from where Local Dispensaries LLC wants to set up shop.

While Peterson is not against medical marijuana, she is concerned about the dispensary being too close to nearby daycares.

“The daycare centers are opposed to it, we’re opposed to it, the community as a whole is opposed to it so our view is let’s work together. Let’s find another location,” said Peterson.

Other people are looking forward to the addition to their neighborhood.

“With pains and stuff and sickness we need this so for some folks we don’t have to walk all that far. We don’t have to catch no cab,” said Harrisburg resident Ratdick Forgenie.

The location on 17th Street is just one of two dispensaries in Harrisburg with a green light from the state. The other location is on the 2500 block of North 6th Street.

While the first of two medical marijuana dispensaries in Harrisburg are still in the planning stages, several are up and running in central PA, including RISE in Steelton.

We asked people living nearby how it’s impacted their neighborhood.

“No problems at all. It’s been quiet. Police have been diligent going around here. They come around more often but I’ve had no problems around here. No change at all,” said Steelton resident Frank Spizzieri.

CBS21 News has a call and email out to the company wanting to build a dispensary on 17th Street in Harrisburg. As of Wednesday night we have not received a response.