Some say keep marijuana businesses out of Federal Way to avoid creating a negative image for the city.

Others say pot retail would generate more tax revenue for the city.

Marijuana retail resulted in a dead heat between those who support the retail in Federal Way and residents who want to keep the shops out of the city, according to the Mirror’s recent Federal Way Forum survey that asked residents about the issue.

The survey generated 110 responses, although some participants didn’t complete all answers.

We asked the community how they voted on Initiative 502, a statewide measure voters approved in November 2012, which legalizes the possession of marijuana for adults age 21 and older.

Fifty-four respondents, or 53 percent, said they voted in favor of the measure. The majority of survey participants cited new taxes and marijuana regulation as reasons why they voted for the measure.

“Prohibition rarely solves problems and often creates more,” one person wrote. “Marijuana has negative side effects, but no more than many other legal substances. Legalizing weed takes it out of the hands of gangs and drug cartels. And I would like my friends and family who prefer weed to wine on a Friday night to be able to shop for their preferred product in a safe and regulated environment.”

Another participant said, “I’m sick of Draconian drug laws that imprison racial minorities, promote black market activity and steal taxable income from our society that could be put to good use.”

Another 47 participants, or 47 percent, said they voted against I-502. The majority of those respondents cited that legalizing marijuana encourages usage amongst youth and sends a negative message that pot smoking is OK.

“Children would have even easier access. Children would get into their parents’ stashes. Children would accidentally ingest edibles,” one person noted.

The survey also asked residents if they would support marijuana-related business in Federal Way. Participants’ answers were split down the middle, with 50 percent saying “yes” and 50 percent “no.”

Those on both sides of the debate cited similar reasons for supporting marijuana retail shops as they did for supporting I-502.

The top two reasons why survey participants do not support marijuana retail in Federal Way are that they believe the shops would be detrimental to youth and create a negative image for the city.

“It introduces the message that we support drugs in our community and sets a bad example to our youth and requires another level of law enforcement, which is not worth the costs,” one person wrote.

Another said, “Marijuana-related businesses have a very negative image and clientele. They are magnets for crime. Federal Way needs to polish its image not attract any negative elements.”

The top two reasons why survey respondents want marijuana retail in Federal Way are that they would bring new revenue to the city and would be convenient as they could stay in town to shop for marijuana.

“I use marijuana for my rheumatoid arthritis,” noted one respondent. “I want to be able to buy locally! Sometimes it’s hard to get out and go to another town to make my purchase. Plus, let’s keep our tax dollars in Federal Way!”

The survey also asked if participants would shop at a marijuana business in Federal Way. Sixty-four percent said “no,” while only 36 percent said yes.

Seventy-one survey entrants, or 72 percent, said they do not currently shop at marijuana businesses, while 28 people, or 28 percent, said they currently shop at pot shops.

Of those who shop at marijuana businesses, eight respondents said they shop at marijuana shops in Tacoma, seven shop in Seattle, six in Des Moines, three in Auburn and two in Renton and Kent. Four respondents also mentioned Prosser, Covington, Bellevue, Alaska and Oregon.

Regarding frequency, five respondents said they shop at marijuana businesses bi-monthly, four said weekly, two monthly, two a few times a month, one answered every four months and another said twice a year.

Residents also sounded off on other concerns about marijuana retail in Federal Way.

Those opposed to marijuana retail in the city predominantly cited crime, a negative image and the impact to youth.

“Federal Way will turn into the next Spanaway, which is the armpit of Washington,” one person wrote. “Federal Way has a bad enough reputation already and if the City Council really wants to attract better businesses and visitors by building the Performing Arts and Event Center, allowing marijuana retail is ridiculous.”

Another wrote: “The youth will think it’s not harmful and they will get it. Destroys still forming brain and nervous system leading to apathy, sloth and inability to make executive decisions, which will have a huge negative impact on their success in the future.”

Others who want pot retail here disagreed.

“I think that the legal sale of marijuana products to adults would eliminate most of the illegal sales to minors, which occur far too frequently in Federal Way as matters now stand,” one pot shop supporter wrote.

Another wrote: “Marijuana is already in our community. If kids want it, they can get it. A licensed marijuana dispensary may drive out some of the competition, i.e. drug dealers. It’s possible that illegal drug activity may actually go down.”

Many who support marijuana retail in Federal Way said their biggest concern was that the City Council could vote to keep the businesses out of the city, despite the passage of I-502.

“I hate the fact that local government is banning a voter-approved statewide initiative. The intent of the voters is obvious, local politicians should follow the will of the people.”

Many also offered caveats should the council approve of marijuana retail, including:

• It needs to be in a nice location and have high standards with good prices.

• The taxes could go towards helping the schools.

• The Federal Way police should be allowed to issue strict enforcement of anyone caught smoking or using in public. There should be a tip hotline to inform police of such activity. Police should reap 35 percent of the tax profit from legal marijuana stores to help support strict age enforcement. Any store caught selling to minors should be immediately shut down, with a permanent ban on said perpetrators.

• The city should ensure any dispensaries are not unsightly.

An advisory vote on the general election ballot also asks voters whether the city should allow marijuana-related businesses in Federal Way.