Anticipating Nov. 7

Why Nov. 7? Because that is when the cannabis vote will go before the City Council. There seems to be a movement by the residents that are not in favor of cannabis dispensaries in Benicia. That movement has support from the anti-cannabis residents. Can it change the minds of three or four pro-cannabis dispensary councilmembers? That remains to be seen. The big vote will be the one which allows two dispensaries in commercial areas, but not in the Industrial park. If the council follows the Cannabis Survey results they will vote to not allow two cannabis dispensaries in commercial areas and also the Industrial Park.
This is a tricky one. The residents by a very close vote elected to allow cannabis dispensaries by a 51 percent yes vote, the commercial area by 55 percent no vote and the Industrial Park by a 69 percent yes vote. So as you see, commercial areas are not the preference but the Industrial Park is. That vote appears to be at 4-1 in favor of two cannabis dispensaries. That could change in the next few weeks.
A few things I have noticed is that the Raley’s Center being within the state law of 600 feet from a school appears that it will be upheld and the portion that Vice Mayor Young says is beyond the 600 limit has lost steam. My prediction: Raley’s Center is out by a unanimous vote. I also believe option 1 for First Street will also be upheld. It means the 500 feet from City Park and First Street Green will be upheld. Option two has no distance requirements. My prediction: Option one wins 3-2. The hours of operation– 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.– will be upheld on a 5-0 vote. These are the big votes. Even if two cannabis dispensaries are allowed, their areas of operation could be limited. No Raley’s Center, no Solano Square and limited areas of First Street. So now the question is: where will they go? The residents are very clear where they want them: “not in my backyard.”
There will be a lot of debate on the issues of cannabis with both sides having different information. Vice Mayor Young has his, and the public and some councilmembers will have their side. No one will win. The big issue is who will present the “no on cannabis” issue. That presentation will have a big impact on the residents, but will it affect the dispensary vote by the council? If the council follows the will of the residents, it will. That remains to be seen. The balance of the ordinance will also be debated, so plan for a very long night.
It also appears at present if the vote is for two cannabis dispensaries, that will not happen at the earliest until mid-2018. Also, the city extra tax with a limit of 10 percent will not even be voted on ‘until November of 2018. If it wins, it goes into effect in 2019. So as you see we have a long ways to go before anything will happen unless it is a “no” vote. There is also a big recommendation that will be coming from the Planning Commission to the Council on Oct. 12. That vote could make or break a presumed candidate for City Council who is a member of the Planning Commission. Watch that one very closely.
The City Council election of 2018 will not be won by a pro-cannabis dispensary candidate. That is my prediction. I will be watching.

Bob “The Owl” Livesay,
Benicia

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