Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson. (File photo)

As the Benicia City Council plans to introduce an ordinance at its Nov. 7 meeting regarding the allowance of cannabis dispensaries in town, many people on both sides have spoken their minds on the topic. This includes officials in the Benicia Unified School District, who have expressed concerns over safety– particularly potential access by children. BUSD’s Governing Board unanimously adopted a resolution at its Oct. 19 meeting containing data and recommending the council prevent dispensaries from being located within 1,000 feet from schools, parks and child care centers. It also suggested developing a local tax to fund counseling and drug education programs prior to businesses being licensed.

Superintendent Dr. Charles Young emailed Mayor Elizabeth Patterson to share the resolution and express concern about a lack of outreach between the city and BUSD over the issue. Patterson responded in an E-Alert, delivered via email to subscribers.

Patterson acknowledged the impact of drugs on youth, noting that the schools were a big part of Benicia’s identity and a primary reason why she moved to the city in the early ‘80s. During this time, she became aware of youth having easy access to drugs and alcohol, with students and even some adults involved in sales.

“It was scary to me that my children could get caught up in this,” she wrote. “My defense was by example and guidance to positive experiences with some great and inspiring teachers and music and sports. I think it worked for the most part.”

Patterson wrote that all ordinances would have to be consistent with state laws as well as regulations outlined in the city’s General Plan. She also acknowledged that the city could have done a better job of contacting the district directly over the issue and assumed that Councilmember Mark Hughes— who serves on the City of Benicia/School Board Liaison Committee and meets regularly with Young— would be the contact.

However, Patterson said the process of considering amending ordinances in response to the passage of Proposition 64 in November— which she noted was approved by 61 percent of Benicia voters—began around May and had been well-publicized through study sessions, a survey and several council and board hearings.

Patterson shared the district’s concerns regarding the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco on youth but felt that some of the statements made in the resolution were disputable.

“There are some assertions in the resolution…that are debatable and, in some cases, questionable conclusions, research and findings,” she wrote.

One challenge, Patterson wrote, was going through material that was impartial.

“I am taking all of this in for information and decision making and sifting through material that needs to be vetted for credibility, replicability, limited bias and substantiated,” she wrote. “That is no easy task. Not all reports are the same, as some claim. It is not one expert against another as others claim. The basis for veracity should hew as closely to scientific protocol as possible.”

Patterson said that if dispensaries were to be allowed in town, they should be regulated in such a manner as to prevent youth from accessing them.

“We would want to have certain regulations that are enforceable and can be acted on expeditiously,” she wrote. “Just as alcohol and tobacco are bad for youth and our regulations and enforcement are robust, so should the same rigor be used for any future cannabis activity.”

The ordinance will be voted on at the Nov. 7 City Council meeting.

Sharing is caring!