Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Hopes of those in Millbrae looking to capitalize on the commercial marijuana industry may be going up in smoke as embracing the budding industry does not seem a high priority for city officials.
Residents poured into City Hall with signs opposing the recently legalized drug during a discussion designed to lay the groundwork for crafting local regulations on commercial sales and recreational cultivation, according to video of the meeting Tuesday, July 25.
Millbrae's talks served as the latest example of a Peninsula community grappling to establish appropriate local policies in the wake of state voters passing Proposition 64 last fall.
While some jurisdictions in San Mateo County are willing to spark a discussion over the chance to draw in some revenue from pot once business licenses are issued next year, the position of many in Millbrae reflects the "just say no" campaign of yesteryear.
"Other voters in California passed this thing, and we have to deal with it," said Vice Mayor Gina Papan, while noting the state ballot initiative failed last fall among voters specifically in Millbrae.
No final decision was rendered at the meeting as the discussion served solely as an initial foray into drug policy development, but officials agreed to hire a consulting firm to guide councilmembers' future considerations of the initiative.
Councilman Wayne Lee said he hopes officials work in tandem fast to craft appropriate regulations for Millbrae, out of fear that inaction would open a door for the more broad and tolerant state law to take hold in 2018.
"If we don't do anything, then it is a free-for-all," he said.
Papan agreed and shared her belief that officials should do all they can to guarantee Millbrae is safeguarded from any potential threat invited by the drug.
"My primary concern is public safety," she said. "If Millbrae doesn't develop a strong regulation, we will not be protected."
Councilwoman Ann Schneider echoed the sentiment regarding a need for urgency, saying "to me this is quite serious" in regards to the potential adverse health and safety conditions brought by exposure to the drug.
As officials prep for more detailed talks, with an eye on establishing a substantive policy this fall, Councilwoman Anne Oliva said she wants more information about the local impact.
She noted though officials recently developed an economic strategy and encouraged her colleagues to stick to their initial plans for stimulating local business without turning to the marijuana industry.
"I don't see where selling marijuana fits into the vision we had a year ago," she said.
While it did not appear there was much of an appetite for welcoming pot business in Millbrae, officials did make an effort to establish realistic expectations about its influence on the community.
Regardless of whether local officials formally elect to endorse, state law will allow residents to establish small personal grows and travel to purchase pot before it is brought home, said Mayor Reuben Holober.
"We have to keep in mind that Millbrae does not exist in a vacuum," he said. "So if San Bruno or other cities approve it, they get the tax dollars and we get the impact."
Officials noted costs such as enhanced law enforcement or increased water use among the additional expenses facing the city as pot becomes more accessible to Millbrae residents.
"We need to figure out how to pay for the migration of people coming through the city using marijuana," said Lee.
To that end, Holober encouraged officials keep an open mind to examining a report on the chance to generate revenue by assuming a less rigid opposition of the commercial industry. The audience interrupted the suggestion with jeers.
"We do need to be creative in generating types of revenue ... and I know that is not what people in the room want to hear on the council right now," he said.
Holober said officials will pick back up the pot policy talks in the coming weeks with an eye to attempting to pass formal legislation in the coming months.
"This is the process that will be lasting for the next few months," he said.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana talk ignites emotions in Millbrae | Local News | smdailyjournal.com
Author: Austin Walsh
Contact: Contact Us | Site | smdailyjournal.com
Photo Credit: Reuters
Website: smdailyjournal.com | The Peninsula's Home Page
Residents poured into City Hall with signs opposing the recently legalized drug during a discussion designed to lay the groundwork for crafting local regulations on commercial sales and recreational cultivation, according to video of the meeting Tuesday, July 25.
Millbrae's talks served as the latest example of a Peninsula community grappling to establish appropriate local policies in the wake of state voters passing Proposition 64 last fall.
While some jurisdictions in San Mateo County are willing to spark a discussion over the chance to draw in some revenue from pot once business licenses are issued next year, the position of many in Millbrae reflects the "just say no" campaign of yesteryear.
"Other voters in California passed this thing, and we have to deal with it," said Vice Mayor Gina Papan, while noting the state ballot initiative failed last fall among voters specifically in Millbrae.
No final decision was rendered at the meeting as the discussion served solely as an initial foray into drug policy development, but officials agreed to hire a consulting firm to guide councilmembers' future considerations of the initiative.
Councilman Wayne Lee said he hopes officials work in tandem fast to craft appropriate regulations for Millbrae, out of fear that inaction would open a door for the more broad and tolerant state law to take hold in 2018.
"If we don't do anything, then it is a free-for-all," he said.
Papan agreed and shared her belief that officials should do all they can to guarantee Millbrae is safeguarded from any potential threat invited by the drug.
"My primary concern is public safety," she said. "If Millbrae doesn't develop a strong regulation, we will not be protected."
Councilwoman Ann Schneider echoed the sentiment regarding a need for urgency, saying "to me this is quite serious" in regards to the potential adverse health and safety conditions brought by exposure to the drug.
As officials prep for more detailed talks, with an eye on establishing a substantive policy this fall, Councilwoman Anne Oliva said she wants more information about the local impact.
She noted though officials recently developed an economic strategy and encouraged her colleagues to stick to their initial plans for stimulating local business without turning to the marijuana industry.
"I don't see where selling marijuana fits into the vision we had a year ago," she said.
While it did not appear there was much of an appetite for welcoming pot business in Millbrae, officials did make an effort to establish realistic expectations about its influence on the community.
Regardless of whether local officials formally elect to endorse, state law will allow residents to establish small personal grows and travel to purchase pot before it is brought home, said Mayor Reuben Holober.
"We have to keep in mind that Millbrae does not exist in a vacuum," he said. "So if San Bruno or other cities approve it, they get the tax dollars and we get the impact."
Officials noted costs such as enhanced law enforcement or increased water use among the additional expenses facing the city as pot becomes more accessible to Millbrae residents.
"We need to figure out how to pay for the migration of people coming through the city using marijuana," said Lee.
To that end, Holober encouraged officials keep an open mind to examining a report on the chance to generate revenue by assuming a less rigid opposition of the commercial industry. The audience interrupted the suggestion with jeers.
"We do need to be creative in generating types of revenue ... and I know that is not what people in the room want to hear on the council right now," he said.
Holober said officials will pick back up the pot policy talks in the coming weeks with an eye to attempting to pass formal legislation in the coming months.
"This is the process that will be lasting for the next few months," he said.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana talk ignites emotions in Millbrae | Local News | smdailyjournal.com
Author: Austin Walsh
Contact: Contact Us | Site | smdailyjournal.com
Photo Credit: Reuters
Website: smdailyjournal.com | The Peninsula's Home Page