The Planning and Zoning Commission really dropped the ball.

It was disappointing to see the commissioners unanimously approve the extended hours request for the medical marijuana dispensary in Fountain Hills at Thursday’s meeting.

After hearing public comments that were five to one against the expansion of hours, not one commissioner voted against the proposed amendment to increase hours up to four hours per day. It looked like they had already made up their minds.

The crux of their reasoning was that people need to have more time to access their marijuana like they would with medications at a regular pharmacy with longer hours. That argument is rather specious since any facility would have to be open 24 hours to satisfy any possible need.

One would think that we all adapt to the hours any pharmacy is open and keep a supply of medication on hand to last until the next time we can get in. So how could one possibly survive if they needed their marijuana at 3 a.m.? Well, they just would. Just like anyone else who needed medication at 3 a.m. and didn’t have any.

This business knew the rules when it was established. Were not there reasons for the original hours to begin with? Did the legalization of medical marijuana pass with a great mandate to begin with? No. It passed on a recount.

So those of us who didn’t vote for that have reason to be cautious about further proliferation of this pernicious substance regardless of all those honorable intentions. I don’t see why we should give in to this incrementalism.

When the camel gets his nose in the tent we’re likely to see more than the nose. And my opinion is that the camel has stuck his big fat nose in our tent. Many don’t want more.