Council not listening to Novato cannabis concerns

On Jan. 12, the Novato City Council crossed the threshold when it gave conditional approval at three locations for prospective recreational cannabis businesses for manufacturing and delivery services (“Novato advances first recreational cannabis businesses,” Jan. 15).

I have been opposed to cannabis in Novato along with approximately 125 Novato citizens who signed a petition presented to the council on May 28, 2019.

At the recent meeting, I proposed a two-year pilot program for one of the three locations (Hanna Ranch Road), because it was the farthest from a Novato residential neighborhood.

This would have allowed time to gather data to make an informed decision. Other concerns:

• Increased crime. Since cannabis is a cash-only industry, selling a product with a high street value could be a magnet for the criminal element.

• Fake IDs. People under 21 can easily obtain these.

• City ordinance. It needs to change from 600 feet to a 1,000-foot distance from schools and youth activities.

• Better communication.

Only residents within 600 feet of proposed locations were sent notices.

• Questionable proposed community benefit. The agreement allows revenue dollars from cannabis licensees being able to decide on the local organizations and the percentage of their revenue to be designated to local nonprofits.

The dollars would be better directed to Novato’s general fund to benefit all residents.

— Barbara Watson, Novato