December 7, 2022
CITY OF SACRAMENTO PLANNING
& DESIGN COMMISSION
915 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: LETTER OF SUPPORT - 7909 BRUCEVILLE ROAD -
- PROPOSED STOREFRONT DISPENSARY (P22-020)
Greetings Chair and Commissioners,
On behalf of the Institute for MORE (Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Equity), this letter serves to convey STRONG SUPPORT for LaKrisha King’s storefront dispensary application (P22-020), which will serve hundreds of medical cannabis use patients who visit the nearby Kaiser Hospital, and deserve sensitivity as they manage illness and chronic pain. As stigmas, regulation and consumer education surround cannabis policy, the scientific research also carves a valid place for Ms. King’s health and wellness centered business model. In addition to treating medical conditions, National Institutes of Health research supports cannabis use as an effective treatment to decrease the explosive rise of meth use and addiction ((( Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol on Methamphetamine Abuse: A Review of Preclinical Study - PMC (nih.gov) ))).
For the reasons stated above, we urge the Commission to be careful and fair as it views Ms. King’s application through a “sensitive use” lens. We also hope that your careful consideration of the sequence of events that establish Ms. King’s facility lease and CUP application filing WELL BEFORE a new outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation center came along …….. will result in your APPROVAL of her application. Other jurisdictions in California, such as the City of Los Angeles planning commission, have statutes regarding an applicant who applied well BEFORE a subsequent "sensitive use" came along.
They don't sink an otherwise approvable entrepreneur/investor who floated their ship FIRST. We urge Sacramento’s Commission to use its discretion, to lead in the City’s commitment to EQUITY, and follow LA's precedent. As the staff report clearly indicates :::::
1) The new outpatient rehab center operators did not get their required California Department of Health Care Services zoning verification from the City until October 20, 2022. Their verbally confirmed??? lease execution date occurred after the filing of the conditional use permit application for the cannabis dispensary.
2) Ms. King executed her site lease on August 1, 2021. She submitted her cannabis dispensary conditional use permit application on October 29, 2021.
The Institute for MORE advocates for equity and economic justice in public policy and the cannabis industry, for the benefit of citizens and entrepreneurs who are Drug War Survivors. The Institute is the premier leader for cannabis equity in our region, and we are responsible for leading community organizing and policy negotiations that resulted in Sacramento’s adoption of the CORE ordinance.
10-Community Comments
INSTITUTE FOR MORE
LETTER OF SUPPORT - 7909 BRUCEVILLE ROAD - PROPOSED STOREFRONT DISPENSARY (P22-020) December 7, 2022 / Page 2 of 2
The people and the Communities that make up the eligible population CORE participants are still struggling with the racial wealth gaps created by Sacramento’s role in the Drug War. As general operators got a head start to now monopolize and dominate the local market, we are still struggling to get the City to properly prioritize and implement the CORE ordinance by achieving its policy goal of having 50% of all cannabis licenses be CORE owned and operated. Less than 8 percent of all City cannabis licenses are held by CORE participants.
Ms. King is positioning a legal, safe and regulated business that is not a burden, but a benefit to medical use patients, Sacramento’s regional and neighborhood economies, job creation and improving security by eliminating blight and vacant commercial properties.
Ms. King is one of only 2 Black women in the City with a real opportunity to open a storefront dispensary. She is a business leader, health advocate and community servant we can ALL be proud of.
For all of these reasons and more, the Institute for MORE urges the Commission to approve Ms. King’s application.
Sincerely,
Malaki Amen
Director
Institute for MORE
500 Capitol Mall, Suite 2350
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.242.8313, X101
www.CaliforniaUP.org
10-Community Comments
10-Community Comments
10-Community Comments
10-Community Comments
From: edward schmidt
To: Robert Williams; Jaime R. Cervantes; District 8; [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: item P22-020 7909 Bruceville Rd. proposed cannabis dispensary LETTER OF OPPOSITION Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2023 11:02:54 AM
Dear Mr. Williams, et al:
I am the owner of the adjacent office property-
7880 Alta Valley Drive.
Our property has multiple uses including Kaiser offices, a peaceful wellness center and a substance detox provider.
This detox center should be considered a "sensitive use" just like schools are because obviously having drugs dispensed next
door would be extremely bad, and poor planning.
Having clients of my tenant, the Diamond House detox center in close proximity to a cannabis store, and the element of people frequenting such an establishment would not be an acceptable outcome.
There are already cannabis dispensaries in the immediate area, 2 or 3 of them, so another one really not necessary.
We vehemently oppose the approval of P22-020at
7909 Bruceville Rd.
I respectfully urge all those in this email to oppose the project at the
February 7, 2023 appeal.
Thank you
Ed
Managing partner 495 22nd St. Associates LLC, owner of 7880 Alta Valley Drive. 415-673-0218
10-Community Comments
From: Edible Sinsations
To: Robert Williams; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Covill, Doug; [email protected]; [email protected]; Kendra Reed; [email protected]; [email protected]; Joe Yee; [email protected]; Engage; Sean Loloee; Jeff S. Harris; Katie Valenzuela (City); [email protected]; Eric Guerra; Rick Jennings; Kirby A Araullo; District 8; [email protected]; Pat Fong Kushida; Frank Louie; [email protected]; Brenda Davis Subject: Request to Deny Third-Party Appeal of Proposed Storefront Dispensary at 7909 Bruceville Road Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 3:42:52 PM
Hello,
I would like to respond to the question of whether cannabis is a "gateway drug."
The concept
of a "gateway drug" refers to the idea that using certain substances, such as cannabis, can lead to the use of more dangerous and addictive drugs.
There have been numerous studies and research conducted on this topic over the years, and the scientific consensus is that the relationship between cannabis use and the use of other drugs is complex and multifactorial. While some individuals who use cannabis may go on to use other drugs, this does not mean that cannabis itself causes this behavior.
For example, one study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences found that "there is no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs" (National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, 1999).
Similarly, a report by the World Health Organization found that "the evidence is not strong enough to support or refute a statistical causal relationship between the use of cannabis and the use of other illicit drugs" (World Health Organization, 1997).
It is important to note that factors such as genetics, mental health, social and environmental factors, and access to drugs also play a role in the development of drug use patterns.
Additionally, the criminalization of cannabis has been shown to increase the likelihood of individuals using more dangerous and addictive drugs, as they are often obtained from the same illegal sources (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018).
In conclusion, while the relationship between cannabis use and the use of other drugs is complex and multifactorial, the evidence does not support the idea that cannabis is a "gateway drug."
For your records, the references are:
National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine. (1999). Marijuana and Medicine:
Assessing the Science Base. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
World Health Organization. (1997). Cannabis: A Health Perspective and Research Agenda.
Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). The Science of Drug Use: The Role of Drugs in the Body and Brain. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health.
With gratitude,
La'Cedra Inman
10-Community Comments
From: Edible Sinsations
To: Robert Williams; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Covill, Doug; [email protected]; [email protected]; Kendra Reed; [email protected]; [email protected]; Joe Yee; [email protected]; Engage; Sean Loloee; Jeff S. Harris; Katie Valenzuela (City); [email protected]; Eric Guerra; Rick Jennings; Kirby A Araullo; District 8; [email protected]; Pat Fong Kushida; Frank Louie; [email protected]; Brenda Davis Subject: Request to Deny Third-Party Appeal of Proposed Storefront Dispensary at 7909 Bruceville Road Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 3:45:29 PM
Hello All,
I would like to rebut the notion that a cannabis dispensary cannot coexist next to a rehabilitation facility. This is a common concern, as some believe that the presence of a dispensary may have a negative impact on those in recovery. However, the evidence suggests otherwise.
Studies have shown that access to medical cannabis can have positive effects on patients undergoing addiction treatment. For example, a study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, found that medical cannabis can help individuals in recovery manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and improve overall well-being (Lis-Balchin & Hart, 2006). Furthermore, the presence of a dispensary can provide additional resources and support for those in recovery, such as access to information on harm reduction and substance abuse services.
Additionally, research has shown that the presence of a dispensary does not have a negative impact on the surrounding community. A study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley, found that the presence of a dispensary was not associated with an increase in crime or a decrease in property values (Armentano, 2018). Furthermore, the regulation and oversight of dispensaries can help ensure that they operate responsibly and safely.
In conclusion, the evidence suggests that a cannabis dispensary can coexist next to a rehabilitation facility without having a negative impact on those in recovery or the surrounding community.
For your convenience, the references are:
Lis-Balchin, M., & Hart, S. (2006). Medical herbalism and cannabis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 105(1), 6-12.
Armentano, P. (2018). The impacts of marijuana legalization and regulation. The Drug Policy Alliance, 1-28.
With gratitude,
La'Cedra Inman
10-Community Comments
From: Edible Sinsations
To: Robert Williams; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Covill, Doug; [email protected]; [email protected]; Kendra Reed; [email protected]; [email protected]; Joe Yee; [email protected]; Engage; Sean Loloee; Jeff S. Harris; Katie Valenzuela (City); [email protected]; Eric Guerra; Rick Jennings; Kirby A Araullo; District 8; [email protected]; Pat Fong Kushida; Frank Louie; [email protected]; Brenda Davis Subject: Request to Deny Third-Party Appeal of Proposed Storefront Dispensary at 7909 Bruceville Road Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 3:47:32 PM
Hello All,
I would like to rebut the claim that there is an "over-saturation" of cannabis dispensaries in Sacramento County District 8. This is a common concern, as some believe that having too many dispensaries can have a negative impact on the community. However, the evidence suggests otherwise.
Studies have shown that having a sufficient number of dispensaries can provide access to legal and safe cannabis for consumers while reducing the need for illegal and potentially dangerous sources of cannabis. A study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, found that increased access to legal cannabis was associated with a decrease in the rates of fatal opioid overdoses (Bradford & Bradford, 2017).
Furthermore, having sufficient dispensaries can also provide economic benefits for the community. A study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley found that the cannabis industry can generate significant tax revenue and create jobs, particularly in areas with high unemployment rates (Armentano, 2018).
In conclusion, the evidence suggests that having a sufficient number of cannabis dispensaries can have positive impacts on public health and the economy. While it is important to regulate and oversee the cannabis industry, an "over-saturation" of dispensaries is not necessarily a negative outcome.
For your convenience, the references for this information is as follows:
Bradford, A. C., & Bradford, W. D. (2017). Medical marijuana laws reduce prescription medication use in Medicare Part D. Health Affairs, 36(2), 291-297.
Armentano, P. (2018). The impacts of marijuana legalization and regulation. The Drug Policy Alliance, 1-28.
With gratitude,
La'Cedra Inman
10-Community Comments