Pastor of Mt. Calvary Christian Center calls for amendment to Washington marijuana law to protect youth facilities and churches

SEATTLE, Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The pastor of a Seattle church is speaking out against a recreational marijuana store that opened just feet from his church and is calling on Gov. Jay Inslee and the state legislature to amend an initiative to prevent such businesses from operating within 1,000 feet of a church or youth facility.

"It is morally and ethically wrong to open up a recreational marijuana store less than 1,000 feet away from the church's teen center and youth center," said Pastor Reggie Witherspoon of the Mt. Calvary Christian Center Church Of God In Christ. "That violates the existing law. I have spent my entire career trying to help people who get involved in drugs to get off of them. Opening the store next door to my church, where I have scores of young people who come for positive experiences and education, is just wrong, and it needs to be stopped."

Initiative 502 legalized the production, sale and use of recreational marijuana in Washington. Witherspoon is advocating for immediate amendment of the initiative and the 1,000-foot buffer rule, which prevents marijuana retailers from locating their businesses near schools, playgrounds and other locations. He contends that buffer rule should also apply to churches and youth centers.

The church, 1412 23rd Avenue, is only a few yards from Uncle Ike's, 2310 East Union St. The state issued the business a license to sell marijuana next to a church and closer than 1,000 feet from the youth center. The city issued a business license under the same condition.

Witherspoon is joined in his efforts by Seattle City Council member Bruce Harrell, who is beginning a review of how the retailer was allowed to open in such close proximity to the church.

"This was not supposed to happen and should not be allowed to continue," said Councilmember Harrell. "How can we restrict these shops from opening near schools and daycare centers, but allow them to open up next to a facility where people pray, children are taught and people go to find strength to rehabilitate themselves? We need to clarify the language with the Liquor Control Board regarding exclusion zones to include churches where children and family congregate. The City supports regulation of marijuana and is required to do so responsibly and correctly in the right areas in a neighborhood."

The pastor led more than 250 protestors in a rally against Uncle Ike's, which is Seattle's second state-licensed marijuana retailer, on Sunday afternoon, chanting "Shut it down."

"We are reviewing all legal avenues to stop this," said Witherspoon, adding that amending the law to include churches and youth centers should be an easy fix for legislators to make quickly.

SOURCE Mt. Calvary Christian Center Church Of God In Christ