A-1 Heated Storage in Sedro-Woolley, Wash., has found itself at the center of a medical-marijuana debate. Neighbors are expressing concern that the facility, which is allowing tenants to store and grow dozens of legal pot plants in 26 units with access to water and artificial light, is creating traffic and safety problems in the neighborhood. The neighbors fear an overall increased number of cars and impaired drivers resulting from a proposed facility expansion.

Facility owner Tom Swett recently received a permit to add 14 more pot-friendly units. He told the source self-storage facilities are safe places for legal marijuana users to access their plants because storing plants at home or in a garden attracts thieves and attention from police. At a self-storage facility, security is generally tighter, and legal restrictions can be followed.

Swett added marijuana-storing customers don't sell the substance, need to get approval from a doctor and must abide by all state laws to rent and keep a unit.

A-1 Heated Storage is at 1230 Warner St., on the east side of Sedro-Woolley. The town is home to about 10,000 people, and lies 70 miles north of Seattle and 50 miles south of the Canadian border.

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