![\"Ray](\"https:\/\/missionvalleynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/webtop.jpg\")
<\/a>(Foto de Jeremy Ogul)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Taylor\u2019s proposal was first brought before the Mission Valley Planning Group, which advises city planners on local matters. Then at the April 1, 2015 meeting, the planning group voted 17-3 to recommend a five-year conditional use and site development permit for the project. The proposal then bounced up to the city\u2019s Planning Commission, which also approved the project after conducting a public hearing on Aug. 13.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow I know what it\u2019s like to give birth,\u201d Taylor quipped.<\/p>\n
Taylor is known for producing classic car shows at Qualcomm Stadium, which is directly across Interstate 8 from the location of his Healing Center. The co-op will be located in Suite 215A in a 26,000-square-foot, two-story medical office building at 3703 Camino del Rio South. \u201cI looked at 300 locations before I found this place,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Taylor talked to the landlord, Dr. David J. Smith, who operates Pacific Surgical Institute of Pain Management. He said the doctor didn\u2019t bat an eyelash when he was told him about his plans to open a medical marijuana consumer cooperative.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in pain management, so am I,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cI\u2019ve got to take care of people who need me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor traces his motivation to open a medical marijuana co-op to a close relative who sought his help.<\/p>\n
\u201cA family member who has epilepsy wanted a ride to get her medicine,\u201d he recalled. \u201cOf course I said yes. But she directed me to this bad part of town, and the place looked like a dump! I didn\u2019t want my relative to have to go through this ever again.\u201d<\/p>\n
He was also inspired by a television infomercial that touted the medicinal benefits of cannabis oil. \u201cI saw sick little kids who were helped by the oil,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cI saw there was a way to help a lot of people. It has become something of a quest for me. It makes me feel good when I wake up every morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Taylor, with his jovial personality and his snow-white hair and mustache, defies most stereotypes associated with his new profession.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m an old guy,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m 69 years old. I was in a band in the 1960s, so you can imagine that I\u2019ve seen it all.\u201d<\/p>\n He touts marijuana as \u201csomething that God gave you in a plant, and it makes you laugh, makes you hungry and make you feel good.\u201d He then points to pharmaceutical drugs that are advertised on television with dire warnings. \u201cDo you want to take a drug that might cause you psychological harm or suicidal thoughts? Do you really want anal leakage? At my age, I sure don\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n To reassure any critics who might be out there, Taylor vows that he will be building the Rolls-Royce of medical marijuana co-ops. He will be required by the city to upgrade the rental suite, sidewalk and parking lot to meet the standards of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). That means providing access for customers who use wheelchairs.<\/p>\n The 400-square-foot suite will contain an office, a waiting room and a display area for products and services. He said he has hired an interior designer who specializes in creating \u201cinviting d\u00e9cor\u201d for dispensaries, or \u201ca place to make people comfy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis will not look like a pot shop,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cThis will be professionally done, and it\u2019s in a nice part of town.\u201d<\/p>\n The co-op will require a no-fee membership that will be granted after applicants get a doctor\u2019s recommendation for medical marijuana treatment. He said the city requires him to have two security guards on duty during operating hours. \u201cThis will be one of the safest places in San Diego,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n He expects to sell as many edibles as smoking products. \u201cIn Colorado [which has legalized medical marijuana products] about 40 percent of sales are edibles,\u201d he said. \u201cI expect we will see the same response here, because most people don\u2019t want to smoke.\u201d<\/p>\n Taylor doesn\u2019t expect he will see any stoners at the Healing Center. \u201cMy target audience is middle age people to senior citizens,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Customers, Taylor said, will likely suffer from glaucoma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and spinal injuries. People who are chronically or terminally ill would also benefit, he said.<\/p>\n Taylor likens the growing acceptance of medical marijuana to the gay marriage debate: People are evolving on the issue. \u201cSince the Colorado vote, the sky hasn\u2019t fallen,\u201d he said. \u201cIt seems like a switch has clicked in people\u2019s heads.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>