Hot Springs residents, dispensary backers urge council to reconsider cannabis ordinance after public comments

Dozens of residents and business owners told the Hot Springs City Council on Feb. 3 that a local dispensary and associated grow operation have benefited patients and the town, and asked the council to reconsider ordinance changes that would affect the businesses.

Forrest Fanning, owner of Dakota Kind Dispensary, led the public comment, saying the operation is tightly regulated and disputing claims opponents handed the council at an earlier meeting. “I am Forrest Fanning, the owner of Dakota Kind Dispensary, and I’m here to ask you,” he said, and later added, “This is not some unregulated activity with a bunch of potheads growing in the tent. This is a professional activity.”

The comments came during the council’s communications from the public portion of the meeting and followed an earlier public hearing and committee discussions. Jessica Katterap, who…