Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Watsonville - The Watsonville City Council granted two medical cannabis cultivation permits late Tuesday night, but denied a third as city leaders continue to grapple with how firmly they want the city to embrace the burgeoning marijuana industry.
The City Council voted 5-2 to approve a permit to the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance at 274 Kearney St., but denied the nonprofit a second permit on West Beach Street by a vote of 5-2.
The organization provides free medical cannabis to U.S. military veterans with conditions such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury and chronic pain.
Later, the City Council voted 6-1 to approve a permit at 124 Manfre Road to Rooted Republic, which is owned and operated by Watsonville native Nick Bryan.
City Manager Charles Montoya said the City Council denied the West Beach Street permit due to its proximity to the Manabe-Ow Business Park.
"I think Council is trying to ensure that (Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance) doesn't infringe on that location and any plans for development down the road," Montoya said. "I know they're looking at both sides."
The Manabe-Ow Business Park is the crown jewel in Watsonville's plans for future development. When occupied, it is expected to contain 1 million square feet of light industrial and office flex space uses; up to 30,000 square feet of support retail; and up to 100 workforce residential dwelling units, at a density of 14 units per acre. FedEx is finishing construction on a 194,000-square-foot regional distribution center.
"I think the stigma of cannabis influenced the decision," said Mayor Felipe Hernandez, who voted to approve all three permits. "There's some talk about Ceiba (public charter school) moving out there. We try not to make policy based on something that doesn't exist. But that seems to be what happened."
Ironically, the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance, which was founded by combat veterans Jason Sweatt and Aaron Newsom after the pair met in Santa Cruz in 2010, is at the forefront of the movement to legitimize and de-stigmatize medical cannabis.
The organization, which has been profiled in national media such as Mashable, The History Channel and Time Magazine, also recently announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
"The VA doctors want to study our medicine and its benefits for sleep issues and PTSD," Newsom said.
Newsom said the City Council also appeared daunted by the trajectory of his organization's growth, which has gained 100 patients in the last five weeks alone.
"They asked us, 'Why do you need to be four to five times bigger than you are now?'" Newsom said. "In a year, we'll be 10 times bigger. This is about opportunity - not just for us or our veterans, but the community of Watsonville."
Montoya said the City Council is proceeding with caution on decisions that could affect the community negatively in the long term.
"They're looking at Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley first," Montoya said. "This is about community."
Earlier Tuesday evening, the City Council adopted an ordinance amendment that limits the number of medical cannabis cultivation sites to six. Four of those permits remain available. However, the City Council will not reconvene until Aug. 23.
Ethnonotanica, a $2.5 million marijuana cultivation operation, possesses a seventh permit to cultivate marijuana in Watsonville due to a 2014 settlement with the city.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Watsonville City Leaders Weigh Cannabis Policy
Author: Ryan Masters
Contact: 831-423-4242
Photo Credit: Dan Coyro
Website: Santa Cruz Sentinel
The City Council voted 5-2 to approve a permit to the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance at 274 Kearney St., but denied the nonprofit a second permit on West Beach Street by a vote of 5-2.
The organization provides free medical cannabis to U.S. military veterans with conditions such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury and chronic pain.
Later, the City Council voted 6-1 to approve a permit at 124 Manfre Road to Rooted Republic, which is owned and operated by Watsonville native Nick Bryan.
City Manager Charles Montoya said the City Council denied the West Beach Street permit due to its proximity to the Manabe-Ow Business Park.
"I think Council is trying to ensure that (Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance) doesn't infringe on that location and any plans for development down the road," Montoya said. "I know they're looking at both sides."
The Manabe-Ow Business Park is the crown jewel in Watsonville's plans for future development. When occupied, it is expected to contain 1 million square feet of light industrial and office flex space uses; up to 30,000 square feet of support retail; and up to 100 workforce residential dwelling units, at a density of 14 units per acre. FedEx is finishing construction on a 194,000-square-foot regional distribution center.
"I think the stigma of cannabis influenced the decision," said Mayor Felipe Hernandez, who voted to approve all three permits. "There's some talk about Ceiba (public charter school) moving out there. We try not to make policy based on something that doesn't exist. But that seems to be what happened."
Ironically, the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance, which was founded by combat veterans Jason Sweatt and Aaron Newsom after the pair met in Santa Cruz in 2010, is at the forefront of the movement to legitimize and de-stigmatize medical cannabis.
The organization, which has been profiled in national media such as Mashable, The History Channel and Time Magazine, also recently announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
"The VA doctors want to study our medicine and its benefits for sleep issues and PTSD," Newsom said.
Newsom said the City Council also appeared daunted by the trajectory of his organization's growth, which has gained 100 patients in the last five weeks alone.
"They asked us, 'Why do you need to be four to five times bigger than you are now?'" Newsom said. "In a year, we'll be 10 times bigger. This is about opportunity - not just for us or our veterans, but the community of Watsonville."
Montoya said the City Council is proceeding with caution on decisions that could affect the community negatively in the long term.
"They're looking at Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley first," Montoya said. "This is about community."
Earlier Tuesday evening, the City Council adopted an ordinance amendment that limits the number of medical cannabis cultivation sites to six. Four of those permits remain available. However, the City Council will not reconvene until Aug. 23.
Ethnonotanica, a $2.5 million marijuana cultivation operation, possesses a seventh permit to cultivate marijuana in Watsonville due to a 2014 settlement with the city.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Watsonville City Leaders Weigh Cannabis Policy
Author: Ryan Masters
Contact: 831-423-4242
Photo Credit: Dan Coyro
Website: Santa Cruz Sentinel
