Regulating cannabis is working
The results of a recent state-commissioned California Healthy Kids Survey concluded that fewer teens are consuming cannabis post-legalization. Students told surveyors cannabis is harder to get now than it was a few years ago. This is exactly in line with what proponents of regulated cannabis believed would happen if the dark markets were squeezed by regulated activity. Opponents of legalization around the state and in our city believed regulated activity would lead to increased teen exposure and consumption. Two anxiety-rich opponents of regulated cannabis in Benicia are on the ballot, and only one candidate in support. The survey, based on responses from middle and high-school students, proves that youth are better insulated from access to cannabis by regulated activity. The proximity to schools of retail sites had no bearing on youth consumption according to a study conducted by university researchers, another fear expressed by opponents of legalization. One candidate wanted the meritless 600 foot buffer used in several jurisdictions around the state to be doubled. It should be noted that the 600 foot buffer can be discarded by local jurisdictions.
The respondents in the survey and study were youth from middle and high-school grades. This should put an end to the fears expressed by some adults about regulated cannabis in Benicia. Your city council majority and one candidate are in sync with regulated cannabis being better for youth than prohibition.
Stan Golovich,
Benicia
With gratitude to Bookshop Benicia
As some of you know, I hosted a monthly poetry series at Rosanna’s European Delights for almost two years. When the bakery recently told me it was closing, I worried that the poetry series would end too. Thanks to the kindness of Christine Mayall, owner of Bookshop Benicia, and Tom Stanton, poet laureate of Benicia, the poetry series still has a home, and “spoken word” will continue to be heard every first Sunday of the month at the bookshop. Of course, I am extremely grateful, as are all the poets and poetry lovers who used to go to Rosanna’s. We have already had our first reading at Bookshop Benicia, and loved the warm and inviting atmosphere, and being surrounded by hundreds of delightful, intriguing books!
If you enjoy poetry, are curious about it, or want to share some of your own poems, please join us for Poetry Inside Out from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7 at Bookshop Benicia, located at 636 First St.
Again, my sincere thanks to Christine and Tom for supporting our local poetry community.
Johanna Ely,
former Benicia poet laureate
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Stan it is placement of cannabis retail stores not against it. Some wanted retail in the BIP that did not go over well. Some wanted it on First Street. I believe you will find that three of the candidates did agree on that not sure about ,the late comer. Cannabis is a dead issue. It will be in Benicia. In fact as we speak there very well could be some activity on the retail side of cannabis. Just what is your issue. Remember Stan there will be delivery in Benicia. So as you see Stan you are just repeating and beating a dead horse. Stan it is over.
Thanks Bob! They say that a side affect of cannabis THC ingestion is paranoia. Perhaps Med Man is just feeling the affects?
Cannabis is legal in CA and Benicia. There will be retail shops, delivery systems, and probably production. The debate is over. Med Man, you have won! I simply don’t understand why Med Man continues the debate when there is no debate. Med Man, what are you fighting for? What is it you hope to change? What are your goals? How do you define success?
District staff, teachers, Board members, parents and many other under-informed neighbors pleaded with PC and city council not to regulate cannabis in Benicia, often with emotional emphasis on the messages and dangers to youth. The state survey results speak for themselves. The kids are alright*.
I will not be voting for any school board candidate that does not reference the survey, and the course of action decided by our council majority previous to it. No more bonds for me either. The district is in my shorts seven times on my property tax bill. Cut administrators, put teachers first. The high academic performance of Benicia High School is the work of teachers, not administrators.
*Pete Townshend
Too bad about Rosanna’s. This building is about the same square footage as the new cannabis shoppe about to open in downtown Davis. This would be an excellent location for a medicinal-only retail site except for the DMUMP. There is no such thing as medicinal alcohol, but recreational alcohol-fueled events are commonplace on First Street. This seems incongruent to a “family-friendly” destination hyped by citizens and outreach media. Walks and Crawls evolve into stumble and pass out in some cases, not to mention possible DUI situations. .
Stan what First Street needs in that spot is a store like Romancing the Home. We need more gift and home décor stores. Please tell us how many folks are as you say on First Street, stumble and fall. Our adult beverage establishments are in most cases locally owned and are very conscious of out of line folks. Get with the program, Stan.