After several hours of listening to public input on both sides, the Benicia City Council voted 4 to 1 to allow cannabis businesses in Benicia at its Tuesday meeting.
The topic of cannabis use in Benicia has been on several residents’ minds since the passage of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act in November 2016 and has been discussed at several City Council meetings throughout the year. The council voted 4-0 at its Dec. 5 meeting to not allow cannabis dispensaries on First Street. Councilmember Alan Schwartzman had to recuse himself since he owned a property on First Street, but since the council voted to deny dispensaries in the downtown, Schwartzman was allowed to vote in the rest of the discussions, held Tuesday.
This time, things went differently with the council being more open about allowing marijuana-related business elsewhere in town, with restrictions. The lone “no” vote came from Councilmember Mark Hughes, who has consistently voted against allowing cannabis stores in the city throughout the year.
Staff recommended the council finish taking public testimony, provide direction to staff regarding cannabis uses, direct staff to prepare ordinances, and continue the public hearing to Feb. 6, 2018.
After nearly two hours of public comments in support of and in opposition to cannabis, the council began discussing and voting on the issues before them. No decisions were made on where exactly such businesses could go, but the council voted 3-2 to have a 600- foot buffer zone from schools. Vice Mayor Steve Young proposed the elimination of the proposal to buffer zones for parks and day care and youth centers, which a majority of the council agreed with.
The allowance of two dispensaries and one microbusiness were also approved by the council. Those who would use indoor commercial cultivation for cannabis were allowed a canopy of up to 22,000 square feet by a council vote. Lastly, the council voted that cannabis business were allowed to operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and cannabis deliveries could only occur from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A draft ordinance will be written by city staff with the council voting on it in the new year. Benicia residents will have the chance to express their opinions on the ordinance when the council prepares to vote on the issue.
The cannabis discussion was the only major item on the agenda, but the council voted to approve the consent calendar, which included items like the acceptance of the Clock Tower roof replacement project, acceptance of the replastering of the James Lemos 50 Meter Pool Project, approval of an amendment with Bellucci & Associates for construction management services and a public hearing to consider adoption of a 45-day interim urgency ordinance prohibiting construction or placement of unattended donation bins for charity or profit within the city.
The council will next meet in early January.
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Good….no more ridiculous prohibition on cannabis.
It’s no longer the 1930s!!!
I don’t believe Strawbridge voted for legalization. She is now completely sunk.
I used the mute button most of the evening watching the meeting from home. I heard about the “minor in the dispensary” comment second hand, so I took the time to review her comments on the video. and as I suspected, she observed an eight-year old in the waiting area. This is neither unusual or illegal, but she came to the meeting prepared to dump shade on storefront activity. She smelled cannabis outside the building? The place where she visited is the only commercial building in a dense single and multi-family neighborhood. Whatever she smelled could have come from any one or more of them. Although we have heard Strawbridge’s husband say he voted for legalization, this is the first time I have heard her say the same thing. Like Councilman Schwartzman, I do not buy that people in this town who are fervently against regulated cannabis activity here actually voted in favor of legalization. I have observed the Strawbridges swilling wine at outdoor tables on First Street. I have no problem with responsible use of alcohol and/or cannabis and, like Schwartzman, bristle at the hypocrisy of those who like to get high on alcohol then wag their sanctimonious fingers at regulated cannabis in Benicia. It appears “evolve” is the new buzzword regarding cannabis in Benicia, but the direction the Council took was not the anniversary gift she wanted.
To bring councilmember Schwartzman into the conversation is below the belt. But you did, so I will respond. He did not mention a name. So you may be right on who he was talking about. But for me it was his underhanded chuckle with the mayor about my comment on the Siino property. They made a very public chuckle comment because I said the Siino property is a gold mine. That is a GOLD MINE. They just do not know how to access it..
Councilmember Schwartzman refuses to tell us who the prominent Benicia residents are. But does as you just did and attack them. At least Stan you named a name. Councilman Schwartzman did not. Your continued belittling of the residents is very low class. I now include Councilman Schwartzman in that same category. All of you are failing to follow the civility calendar of the mayors. By the way she sits at the top of the list as a not civil person. Not very becoming for a mayor and councilmember.
Here’s Texas coming around glacially slow, but that’s evolution.
https://tinyurl.com/yd2uhna8
Those that watched or attended the meeting heard ED Manager Giuliani indicate that vacancy rates in the BIP are shrinking based on cannabis speculator activity. The FPPC advice letter on Council member recusals indicated property values on the rise downtown for the same reason. Some people are saying rents are on the rise in downtown condos as well. Save for one persistent anti-cannabis nag, the real estate community has been silent. Our economic health profile is on an uptick and will improve exponentially from here on out. As the Vice-Mayor indicated, charging the GF with new revenue will lead to rolling back our water rates. We are layered up at our house and getting used to a much lower thermostat due to tripled water bills. Hang in there.
Sorry Stan you know nothing about the finances of this city. Our 2018/2019 budget will rise by over one million. The projected new ees will not make their projection. CalPers will go up over $700,000. Just where have you been. Just where are we getting that money. Trying to deceive the residents is very dangerous and not in your best interest. Do your homework Stan.
Good article in the Vallejo paper today about Vice Mayor Young’s outreach on social media to address the concerns of some about regulated cannabis activity. Although it is too late for hard copy, the reporter indicated she would correct the “Councilmember” to VM. I had to pay nine bucks to access the TH online in order to read the story because they stopped freebies.
You ,get so many a month free. Then you either pay or buy the paper. Merry Christmas Stan.
Here is another very good reason why a regulated environment is far better from a public health perspective. For the next six months, retailers will be clearing stock of cannabis products that are not subject to the rigid quality control that will be in place after that.
https://tinyurl.com/y7m76wl8
Nurses think Marijuana is good medicine.
American Nurses Association
“The American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes that patients should have safe access to therapeutic Marijuana/cannabis. Cannabis or Marijuana has been used medicinally for centuries. It has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of symptoms and conditions.”
From Mr. Golovich’s comment above:
“Good article in the Vallejo paper today about Vice Mayor Young’s outreach on social media to address the concerns of some about regulated cannabis activity. ”
The full article ( below) with the words and commentary of the biggest vote- getter in Benicia’s 2016 election., Steve Young.
A key paragraph for the community to consider…
Young outlined why he was voting to allow cannabis businesses on Tuesday. He acknowledged that marijuana was damaging to the health and development of young people, but stressed that the new law applies to adults, not children. He expressed confidence that any dispensaries would be highly regulated and would involve “significant” security requirements.
He also pointed to cities like Vallejo that have not had a measurable increase in crime as a result of their dispensaries, an assertion he said that the mayor of Vallejo has backed up. He also feels that there is a far higher burden and cost to society when marijuana is illegal and on the black market. “Wouldn’t it be better and safer for the community for it to be legal, regulated, inspected, and, yes, a tax-paying business?”
Well stated, Mr. Young.
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20171222/benicia-councilmember-young-takes-to-social-media-to-address-marijuana-questions
Happy NYE Everyone! Smoke em if you got em!
“Smoke em if you got em”. A military term. Do not forget to field strip em. Happy New Year to all.
This debate is getting old. Time to move on. Weed is legal. It is readily available. It is an intoxicant. It is not a miracle drug.
Why all the posts trying to convince the population of the positives regarding weed? I don’t get it.
Could it be that some want everyone the think exactly as they do? They cannot accept a differing opinion?
It’s legal. Move on.
I do think you are correct. The big issue is a ballot measure in 2018 to allow recreational cannabis on First Street. You are correct take the win and move on.