By Stan Golovich
Special to the Herald
I believe that cannabis can be regulated, taxed, and used responsibly by adults (21), just like alcohol, and that Proposition 215 patients in Benicia should have local safe access. Last November, 9,559 Benicia voters– 63 percent– said “Yes” to Proposition 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. It’s quite conceivable a large number of those voters are cannabis consumers, acquiring either legally at an out of town dispensary, or from a local or external dark market merchant. This is sales tax leakage and unregulated taxable sales the community will never see any part of.
I would like to take this opportunity to educate the Benicia community about cannabis. I do not use words like “marijuana,” “pot,” “grass,” or “weed,” among others. I believe these terms are pejorative and used by some to indicate contempt or disapproval of cannabis, either as medicine or euphoric agent.
My first experience with cannabis was in the late ’60s, purchasing a small match box of it for five dollars. I used it on a regular basis strictly for recreation until about the mid-’70s, when career and family obligations made cannabis use impractical. I did not experience withdrawal symptoms. I just quit one day, as I did with tobacco. I still remember the day I threw a pack of cigarettes out the window in disgust for falling prey to big tobacco pushing garbage on the public. Quitting alcohol followed that.
As a senior, my focus is on health, wellness, and longevity as a consequence of proper diet and regular exercise. Despite this regimen, the onset of aging-related joint discomfort was not to be denied. In 2005, my Kaiser clinician told me “your joints are collapsing” (I was wondering why my pants were starting to drag at my shoe heel). He prescribed Vicodin, and for the next four years I simply requested a refill online and it came in the mail.
During my early use of cannabis, I had heard and repeated the claims that it had medicinal properties specific to treating glaucoma, so the joke was that we were using cannabis to make sure we did not develop glaucoma. Eye care specialists today agree that cannabis consumption does in fact reduce intraocular pressure. That is why some people who have consumed cannabis have bloodshot eyes. The blood vessels in their eyes are dilated by the compounds in cannabis, resulting in a reduction of intraocular pressure.
Although cannabis is primarily known for its psychoactive trait, we are learning more through ongoing research about the other components of the plant that have demonstrated medical benefits in humans and animals. Biotechnology research scientists have been able to identify and isolate the psychoactive component from cannabis, but they are still developing the fingerprint of the whole plant, said to be in excess of four hundred distinct compounds.
I believe that someday we will have a complete fingerprint of the cannabis plant much the same as we now have the human genome mapped out. We will know what combinations of compounds are the most effective in modulating, palliating, and possibly even curing diseases in humans and animals. This is the foundation of my advocacy for whole plant cannabis as medicine, in addition to advocacy for industrial hemp as fiber, fuel and food.
In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, allowing for physician-approved use of cannabis as a treatment option. Although some consumers are genuine patients who experience relief of a variety of symptoms, the aura of genuine medicinal benefits is tainted by the easy access of youth to the recommendation to use cannabis. “Pot Docs” sprang up all over California, where minors could obtain the recommendation to use cannabis, even those under 18, provided certain conditions were met. I believe, as many doctors do, that youthful consumption of cannabis could affect brain development up until the mid-20s.
In 2009, I had a conversation with my clinician about the long-term effects of Vicodin. I had been reading and hearing about seniors’ relief from joint pain by consuming cannabis, so I asked if he would support a recommendation for me to try cannabis, to which he agreed. I joined a licensed dispensary in Sonoma County and was pleasantly surprised to find concentrated plant derivatives were available in gel caps, tinctures, topicals, and edibles. Presently, I use a topical cannabis product daily for joint pain relief, as well as an occasional cannabis-infused dark chocolate square with a measured dose of concentrated cannabis compounds. I no longer use Vicodin.
Despite different opinions about the efficacy of cannabis as medicine, I believe the community recognizes the economic potential of the coming California green rush of “cannabusiness”, said to be a multi-billion dollar supercharge of the California economy, already recognized as the sixth largest in the world. Cannabis and industrial hemp production and processing will take their place alongside almonds and olives as premier California agricultural products. I believe the present Benicia prohibition on retail cannabis inhibits our opportunities for commercial operations related to the broad spectrum of ancillary businesses that support the cannabis industry. I am encouraged by the selection of former Pacifica City Manager Lorie Tinfow to be our permanent city manager. Pacifica is cannabusiness-friendly, with four retail establishments indicated by online search. I am optimistic that City Manager Tinfow will provide the leadership to end the prohibition, sales tax leakage, and unregulated sales of cannabis products and services in our city. About 63 percent of Benicia voters favored Proposition 64 last November, a convincing majority that should be sufficient to inspire political will to lift the blockade.
Stan Golovich is a 31-year Benicia resident, senior, veteran, artist, and cannabis advocate-educator. He is presently a Spring Semester student at Oaksterdam University in Oakland, America’s first “cannabis college.” He is the husband of former Benicia city councilmember Jan Cox-Golovich, and is often seen riding his bike on First Street, said to be the only bicycle in the world with a stained glass window in the frame, a product of his work in stained glass.
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Major news sources are reporting that Israel is moving towards decriminalizing cannabis use, much the same as our own pending legislation in the form of H.R. 1227. The 63% approval of adult use by Benicia voters can be extrapolated to a higher percentage supportive of medical use. There should be 5 votes this evening to open the doors to cannabusiness in Benicia.
Should decriminalization take hold in Israel, I think that, depending on which way the current administration decides to go on MJ and the states, they should probably hold Israel to the same standard.
Stan I believe your best chance it to go after a weakness in the financial condition of the city. Give a good review of potential revenue it would bring in and good examples where it has been very successful elsewhere. You could sway the council. Good luck.
No member last night wanted to continue the ban on cannabusiness in Benicia. There was some back and forth about locations of dispensaries and retail outlets, but all agreed cultivation and processing should be limited to the industrial park
Staff was instructed to draft some land use options for presentation to council next meeting. Licensing, sales tax, and possible excise tax revenues appeared to be the motivator for the lifting of the ban.
Bravo to all.
I was right Stan. You are now in the area that gets attention. Like it or not. MONEY
Stan,
The worst reason in the world to approve the use of (or licensing to ) selling pot is to raise money for the city.
Some comments, IM(NS)HO:
1) The government has not right to tell anyone if they can or cannot use pot. You grow it, you can smoke it. period.
2) If the city is now considering raising money by being a drug dealer, add a provision declaring anyone serving time in prison for selling pot should be immediately pardoned. To not do so makes the city (or any entity) as guilty as those dealers.
3) Medicinal pot is BS. It is an excuse used to circumvent the law, as the benefits of pot are minimal from a medical perspective.
4) If you are to be honest, why not make Benicia a “sanctuary” city where it is declared that the city will not arrest anyone for growing pot?
Least anyone think I am a pot head, I will say this: I smoked pot at 16, stopped at 18. I found the ‘benefits’ of doing so did not come close to the benefits of not doing so.
But I fall back to my original comment: The government has not authority to tell anyone that they cannot do so.
Did not notice the two “nots’ both should be “No”
Way to go, Stan, great letter. Folks, here is a man that has done his homework. Yes, Israel has been doing cannabis research for years and will have a jump on the industry that the US is forgoing.
And for those that think cannabis has no medicinal viability; I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for the cannabis. Kaiser doctors haven’t found a medicine that will control my nausea and vomiting without rendering me bedridden.
And, to the city council, since the vote for Prop. 64 passed in Benicia by 63% , you need to listen to the voters and do their bidding.
I already know who I will be voting against in the next election.
The council’s future actions will determine if I add to that list!
Very powerful testimony. Our elected officials have wisely chosen to lift the blockade on cannabusiness in Benicia. The speakers last Tuesday representing several areas of cannabusiness were just the vanguard of growing interest to start a business in Benicia. I know of another cannabis business that wants to expand into multiple areas of cannabusiness in the industrial park. Sure hope we can get the broadband thing moving because this industry will need it.
I have commented previously that elected officials who choose to ignore the will of the majority do so at their own peril. Conversely, those who seek re-election or office will have a large number votes in their bag by advocating for whole plant cannabis and continuing education about it.
Here is an interesting one hour video documentary about Israeli organic chemist Raphael Mechoulam, who is credited with discovering the psychoactive component THC of the cannabis plant.
https://www.projectcbd.org/article/scientist-life-and-work-raphael-mechoulam
Another organic chemist discovered THC before Dr. Mechoulam, but Mr. Hoover’s FBI thought he might be a commie so he was historically invisible until 1959 when his work in organic chemistry was recognized.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Adams
If the CBR, Mayor and councilmember Young are true to their Health and Safety issues they vote against it. Those are the folks that could very well be in trouble if those folks vote for it. They will be considered traitors to their own cause. I say NO!!!!
Migraine headaches used to put me out of service for a couple days. One day I tried cannabis and the pain went away in about 30 seconds. Now I use an edible when I feel one coming on. It takes a little while to take effect but it lasts longer. The frequency of migraines has become less and less, so as far as I am concerned, the cannabis is fixing the underlying problem that triggers the migraine. Hope to be able to buy it in Benicia soon, I do not like going into Vallejo.
Stan, Do you have information that supports the statement , “where minors could obtain the recommendation to use cannabis, even those under 18,”.? I have my suspicions that this might not be based in fact.
Here is the CA Dept. of Public Health FAQs. Scroll down to “Can a minor apply…”
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/MMP/Pages/MMPFAQ.aspx#26
Thanks, Stan. It states the following:
A minor (under 18 years of age) can apply as a patient or caregiver under certain conditions. Minors may apply for themselves as qualified patients if they are lawfully emancipated or have declared self-sufficiency status. If the minor has not declared self-sufficient status or is not emancipated, the county’s program is required to contact the minor’s parent, legal guardian, or person with legal authority to make medical decisions for the minor.
So, it seems that it would not be all that easy for a minor that is not emancipated, or does not have a parent involved in the decision.
Great information, Stan. Keep up your research, it’s very beneficial.
From the staff reports for tonight’s meeting:
“Benicia currently imposes the following restrictions on marijuana land uses:
● All medical and non-medical commercial marijuana activities are prohibited.
(Mun. Code §§ 9.60.020, 9.60.040, 17.84.020; Ord. No. 16-13, § 3.) This
prohibition extends to any marijuana activity that would require a state license
under either MCRSA or the AUMA. This would include marijuana cultivators,
manufacturers, distributors, testing laboratories, and retailers.”
This is clearly not smart from an economic perspective. It wipes out the whole platter of potential licensing fees and sales taxes.
“I do not use words like “marijuana,” “pot,” “grass,” or “weed,” among others. I believe these terms are pejorative and used by some to indicate contempt or disapproval of cannabis,”
Good point Stan. It is like using the term “pot head” to describe somebody who might partake in the use of cannabis in moderation. It’s akin to to calling a person that enjoys the occasional single malt, or craft beer an alcoholic, or boozer.
I posted this on another thread. I believe you will find this informative, although I suspect you already know the story.
http://www.drugpolicy.org/blog/how-did-marijuana-become-illegal-first-place
Thanks Stan, The content of the linked article is familiar, as well as ironic.
From this morning’s SF Chronicle:
‘Seniors’ guide to cannabis”:
http://www.sfchronicle.com/cannabis-seniors/
Great info for seniors or anyone else. There’s no reason these days to inhale burning vegetable matter. If you prefer the traditional smoking ritual, try using kief in lieu of bud.