Pot dispensary opens in Anderson

Facing a possible moratorium against medical marijuana dispensaries in Anderson, The Green Heart, a medical marijuana collective and dispensary, opened in Anderson on Sunday. It's the city's first.

Anderson resident Gina Munday had planned to open the shop on West Center Street later in the week but decided to open earlier after the Anderson City Council's Tuesday meeting agenda was posted online Friday. Listed on the agenda was council consideration of the imposition of a 90-day moratorium on such businesses.

"My attorney, Eric Berg of Redding, advised me to open prior to the council taking any action on the moratorium," Munday said Sunday. She said she has tried since late January to obtain the proper permits from the city to open the dispensary.

"I first approached the city's planning director, John Stokes, six months ago," Munday said. "After researching the zoning issues, I and my attorney determined that this is a medical office just like any other medical office. Therefore, there are no zoning issues that should apply."