Neighborhoods can say no to commercial cannabis
The Novato community’s rejection of more retail cannabis businesses does not equate to a rejection of Proposition 64 intentions. Prop. 64 decriminalized marijuana possession, but also gave cities and counties a strong say about how the law is implemented and regulated.
Nowhere did the 2016 ballot summary mention that local governments would be required to permit a wide range of cannabis businesses. Nor did it mention that locally elected officials would be expected to make important public health decisions regarding cannabis.
Communities recognize that retail cannabis outlets and delivery businesses are the extension of the “Big Cannabis” distribution network and controlled in large part by big tobacco companies. I don’t consider these businesses to be “mom and pop” organizations selling locally grown environmentally sustainable marijuana. Many elected officials now realize that a majority vote for Proposition 64 does not mean their constituents want recreational cannabis businesses expanding in their communities and that favoring legalization does not mean automatic acceptance of full-on commercialization.
When California voters supported the legalization of marijuana for adult recreational use, they likely did not imagine a multi-billion dollar commercial cannabis industry would flood the market with high-potency (up to 99%) THC dabbing products and a vast array of flavored vaping cartridges targeted to youth.
Marin adults who want to use non-medical cannabis have no barriers to access. Deliveryonly businesses (as opposed to retail storefronts) cut down the potential for local drugged driving. There are plenty of delivery-only businesses in Novato
and San Rafael, a medical cannabis storefront in Fairfax and adults can grow up to six plants. If residents want to partake, they can have at it.
Marin communities should feel confident they have the right and ability to freely control the extent of cannabis commercialization in their neighborhoods.
— Elizabeth O’Donnell,
Mill Valley