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. […]
Bob Livesay: Council should delay its decision on cannabis
By Bob Livesay Special to the Herald The city of Benicia is in a potential financial crisis. That is not a maybe, that is a fact. By the 2019-20 and 2020-21 budget years we could be short by at least $1 million to $2 million in revenues. That will continue each year, not going away […]
Letter: Marijuana sales ordinance needs more research
Marijuana sales ordinance needs more research As an answer to the projected shortfall in the City of Benicia’s budget, the majority of the Benicia City Council is proposing the legalization of retail recreational (non-medical) marijuana in our community to boost tax revenue. However, this proposal is being made with no study or research being done […]
Dennis Lowry: City Council needs a time out on marijuana issue (Part 2)
In yesterday’s column, I explained why I don’t think marijuana should be allowed in Benicia. Today, I dive into further data. Health & Safety – Increasing Potency Marijuana today is significantly more stronger than the weak homegrown versions of the ’90s. Marijuana strength has grown from about 4 percent THC in 1995 to nearly 12 […]
Dennis Lowry: City Council needs a time out on marijuana issue (Part 1)
The City Council’s decision by a 3-2 majority vote to direct the development of a policy to allow recreational and medicinal marijuana to be sold from storefront businesses on First Street needs to be reconsidered. There are a number of reasons for recommending that a “Time Out” be instituted regarding this very controversial decision […]
School board adopts resolution providing input to council on cannabis
Ever since the passage of Proposition 64 in November, the city of Benicia has had many discussions at various meetings over how the statewide legalization of cannabis should be treated within the city. On Sept. 19, the Benicia City Council reviewed a draft ordinance making recommendations for cannabis activities. Among these suggestions were allowing up […]
Letter: City meetings are the real Comedy Central
Comedy central at its best What am I talking about? One guess could get you the answer. It was the Planning Commission’s Oct. 12 meeting and the City Council’s Oct. 17 meeting. The first two-thirds of the Planning Commission meeting went as usual, but when it got to the cannabis issue, it all fell apart. […]
Planning Commission gives direction to council on cannabis
Cannabis has been on the minds of Benicians since California residents voted to legalize the substance back in November. There have been numerous City Council meetings on the subject, and it has been a source of debate amongst city officials and representatives. The Planning Commission decided where cannabis business could be located and use at […]
Larry Fullington: Cannabis not good for Benicia’s image or youth
By Larry Fullington Special to the Herald I want to tell you a story. Recently, Kate and I were waiting for the BART train to take us to San Francisco. While waiting, a young woman joined us on the platform. As we talked, she told us she was an American Indian from Arizona. She had […]
Donnell Rubay: Should cannabis edibles be allowed in Benicia? (Part 2)
By Donnell Rubay Special to the Herald In Part I of my discussion on cannabis edibles I talked about the growing presence of edibles and some of their potential dangers. Another problem with commercial edibles is that the entire field—is not being vetted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This means that in addition […]