Cannabis won’t impact small-town charm
I enjoyed the recent Benicia magazine feature article about Fairfax in Marin County, citing small-town charm and other amenities. Fairfax is known as the home of the first medicinal cannabis dispensary in the nation, opening soon after passage of California’s Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The dispensary is owned and operated by the undisputed “fairy godmother” of medicinal cannabis, Lynnette Shaw, who endured a 19-year legal hassle with the federal government, beat the case, and is now open again in downtown Fairfax, just 50 feet from the town’s youth baseball field. When Lynnette’s dispensary was forced to shut down by federal threat of asset seizure, the city of Fairfax kept her use permit on ice for nearly two decades, and she easily transitioned back into business.
Benicia magazine’s glowing recommendation of Fairfax as a tourist destination proves that small town charm is not impacted by the presence of retail cannabis.
Stan Golovich,
Benicia
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Fairfax is not a tourist destination. I lived in Marin County. Fairfax is part of a commuter town/area to San Francisco.
Fairfax is one of several prime destinations for both road and mountain bikers. It is, in fact, the the birthplace of mountain biking. There are hundreds of miles of multi-use trails nearby, Fairfax is the quintessential hub for the outdoor junkie. There are six nationally protected areas, six state parks and a myriad of locally managed open space preserves in the area. Hikers, runners and naturalists also flock to this town. On any given weekend the sidewalks and cafes are packed with cyclist either meeting to start, or capping off their rides. Fairfax also hosts the annual Biketoberfest bike festival, which is typically packed.
they do not spend money on pot or do ,they. Fairfax can have them.
I suppose some may, while others may not. Why?
There is clearly a correlation between bicycle-minded communities, cannabis savvy, and absent anxiety about commercial activity. Davis is close to opening a full access dispensary late summer, at 420 F Street. The owners changed the numbers on their address, previously 416 until their application was recently approved. There were four other retail sites approved as well. The only concerns expressed by Davis residents is the competition from nearby Dixon cutting into their sales and excise tax haul. Dixon has set aside public property for a new purpose-built cannabis cultivation/processing facility.
Forgot to mention 420 F Street is in their downtown commercial district, just a block from popular G Street Plaza next to the Amtrak station, where families gather year round.
They are there for exactly what you say. Outdoorsman not as tourist attracted to the city proper. Way over rated. I will take Mill Valley any time. Very sophisticated and expensive. I love it.
I’m not going to argue the definition of tourist, or community ratings/comparisons. As I said, “outdoorsmen” are there utilizing the businesses, dining, buying food a beverages, and other items, and are generally spending time. What else, exactly, attracts people to a “city proper”? Think of it as villages typified by ski resorts. Fairfax is a town that supports and attracts people based of a certain industry (outdoor activities).
Be nice if Benicia were a little more bike friendly. It may seem that it is, but if you ever rode on E 2nd street from Valero to town you would quickly find out that the city won’t spend any money on maintenance of bike lanes. Despite several requests, E 2nd street doesn’t get street swept which means the bike lane is dangerous to use due to all the gravel that accumulates. SO, the observation that cannabis and bikes go together is probably correct since neither bikes nor cannabis is welcomed in Benicia.
Speaker, Don’t know the exact reason why Benicia is not really a cycling town (although one could argue several). However, anyone that spends most of their time here is probably is not really exposed to the overwhelming level of this activity in other parts of the Bay Area (Napa, Marin and Sonoma, the Peninsula, Alameda Hills. Contra Costa County, Santa Cruz Mountains, etc,). As an aside, cannabis and many activities go together.
I do not want a bike rider smoking weed and on the streets. Just as bad as drinking and driving. If that is your idea of fun Benicia wants no part o9f it. It is folks like you that destroy the cannabis users image.
I don’t want people drinking and then commenting on the internet.
Than do not do it. You seem to understand that issue. Just who drinks and comments on the internet. Could it be you?
No, not me. Feel free to keep guessing, if it is that important to you. I’m sure that you could eventually figure it out. But, then where would you be? Further down some rabbit hole of subject matter that has nothing to do with Faifax. Thanks for playing.
On the “Immensely Underinformed” tab of my cannabis scorebook is the woman from the local Temperance League who testified that cannabis shoppes were on par with adult sex-toy stores and should not be allowed.
Yolo County’s first retail license, smack in the middle of downtown Davis.
https://tinyurl.com/y8e8772t
These kinds of success stories are increasingly commonplace now that cannabis is returning to normal.
“Her seizures have fallen from multiple times daily to no more than once per week.”
https://tinyurl.com/yauhcu62
Stan when are you going to get it right. No one has an issue with medical cannabis. It is only placement. Now remember Stan you will have delivery out of the BIP. Get with the program Stan.
And so far this year, Benicia has lost over $800 in taxes from me and medical cannabis purchases in other cities. Now, you may say $800 isn’t that much. My guess is that there are at least 1,000 cannabis users in Benicia… That’s $800,000. Can Benicia really afford to piss away that much revenue.
Just think of it……
Have you spent $10,000 so far?
Rick mc Benicia is in the process of opening two stores in town. I assume you are aware of that. The excise tax in Benicia will be 6% or under. At present Vallejo is 10% with at present no sign of being reduced. When they are open in Benicia you will more than likely save money. Your *$800 estimate the city would get would come from about 15% for state, 10% for Vallejo and about 8.5% sales tax plus 1% measure C. Out of all of that the city would receive about 1% measure C and 10% excise plus 1% sales tax if it were Vallejo. You apparently are a very big user for the city to receive $800. At present Vallejo is expected to get about 3.5 MIL with 11 stores we will have two so at best this city will get about $300,000 dollars or less. A drop in the bucket considering the 14 mil CalPers per year quickly approaching. Also must remember medical has no sales tax. Just city excise in Benicia of 6%, 1% sales tax and 1% measure C. In Benicia that would be about 8%. So the $300,000 is also a very high estimate. Money the city would receive is good but not golden as some have described or even estimated.
Glad to hear about new dispensary, no I hadn’t heard about them. Good news. And, my medical needs require strong medical cannabis (over 23% which means $$$. Also, I’m buying major CBD medication for my buddy who can’t afford it…he has stomach cancer. So, yes, I do spend a lot on medical cannabis. It’s a priority for both of us.
Glad you are getting what you need. There will also be delivery from a commercial place in the Benicia Industrial Park. No on site sales in the BIP. I think help is on the way for you and your friends needs.
Thanks,Bob, I appreciate your information on dispensaries. No, I hadn’t heard about them because I had given up on the city council, city attorney and others. So, I stopped advocating and concentrated on other means to fill my cannabis needs.
Thanks again for the update. Fiat Lux!
Another one bites the dust.
“…found that there was a bigger jump in home prices in municipalities that legalized retail (cannabis) sales.”
https://tinyurl.com/y8xebej9
Our good neighbors over in Martinez are tracking to permit 2 retail and one each of four other license types. They are likely to get theirs going before us due to the absence of the onerous Public Safety License we have imposed. Martinez, Davis, and many other jurisdictions only require a review of the security plans by their police departments. The state only requires a LiveScan of the owner and operator, not every employee, before they will grant a license. There is still a lot of staff anxiety about commercial cannabis in my opinion and it is reflected in the ordinances. It will take many more months, or a more motivating tone by the council majority, to help this industry thrive in our community. All the perceived dangers have been refuted by evidence, surveys, and studies. Jurisdictions that are regulating cannabis activity are watching the money roll in. I can’t find an example anywhere in cyberspace where a jurisdiction regretted regulating a popular consumer choice.
Candidates that start spewing the usual meatless statements about economic development without acknowledging the cannabis industry potential are in denial as to the significant impact this industry could have on our general fund and grants from the state. Add Measure E projections and we have a seven digit uptick in our revenue stream.
I envision a MedMen franchise on First Street someday, billed as the Apple store of cannabis. Here’s one on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The fashionistas love it.
https://tinyurl.com/y9sa8yro
“…would put out the welcome mat…”
Martinez makes headlines again, Benicia gets a mention at least.
https://tinyurl.com/y8qxpe6s
Stan I hope you took notice of the revenue. Not at all the gold that you seem to think. The retail portion is very interesting. A city that is 30% larger than Benicia and in a much more heavily populated area and also very affluent area. So it looks as if Benicia retail revenue will be lucky to get even close to $200,000. I believe Stan that is not even close to what folks like the Vice Mayor and yourself suggested. The Vice Mayor said he saw a proposal that one store could very well approach 1 mil a year in taxes. Have not heard any more on that from our very financial educated vice mayor. This is what you get when you do not understand what the residence/voters really want. Sorry Birdseye you have more explaining to do. Not at all financial astute. I like my mechanics views better than these folks. He at least understands the importance of services in a very non-partisan way.
“…the number of tourists that come to Napa who want to buy cannabis is an untapped market.”
Napa is on track to open two medicinal cannabis shoppes, but the limitation is stirring controversy. Eric Sklar is hooked up with Rob Mondavi to establish a unique Napa appellation for fine cannabis. Wineries are planning cannabis lounges adjacent to tasting rooms in expansion plans. Could happen by next summer if the county moves quickly on ordinances for cultivation in unincorporated areas.
https://tinyurl.com/y7j4kqal
“…after two patients showed sudden improvement…”
US turns to Canadian cannabis for DEA-approved studies on essential tremors. The formulation is 20:1 CBD:THC. Cannabinoid products with this ratio and others are available as tincture at any cannabis shoppe. If you have a loved one or friend afflicted with tremors, this could change their quality of life.
It will be a great day in our city when the old run-down eyesore Sundowner becomes a cannabis shoppe for our neighbors seeking relief for a multitude of health issues, or those of their beloved pets. Only one candidate is our friend, but we only need one to continue advancing cannabusiness in Benicia. Nine applicants and two oil refiners have already put more in the GF than digital billboards.
https://tinyurl.com/yaylacmv
Address list of Cannabis Locations======160 E N Street, 177 military EAST, 425 Military East, 2076 Columbus Parkway, 2046 Columbus Parkway {2 Proposals}, 1401 E 5th Street {3 proposals}. Six locations with 9 proposals. Two locations will be approved. You now have time to prepare any issues you have to bring forward. How does that Sound Stan. Sent to me from the City of Benicia by Ms. Feeney. I assume there will be a news release very soon.
How ironic is that: the Sundowner, shut down by the city for being a drug den!