1 Xavier Mota
From: Steven Rice <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 7, 2023 7:49 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Opposition to a non medicinal marijuana only dispensary at 1416 Wilshire Boulevard
EXTERNAL
Dear council ‐
I strongly oppose the efforts to open this dispensary so close to Lincoln Middle School & Lincoln child development center. As a longtime resident, growing up in this community, attending both Lincoln Junior High ( at its time ) and then graduating from Samohi. Now my wife and I are raising young daughters who currently attend Roosevelt elementary school. To have this recreational shop so close to our kids is a horrible idea.
We understand the importance of ensuring access to medical marijuana for those in genuine need, but my family is deeply concerned that eliminating these restrictions without first establishing a clear and comprehensive municipal code subsection for (Adult‐use) recreational marijuana retailers would be premature and potentially harmful.
We commend the Council for its thoughtful approach on the selection of retailers and the establishment of local ordinances pertaining to Medicinal Cannabis Dispensaries in our city. In light of this, I respectfully urge the Santa Monica City Council to continue its diligent efforts and prioritize the development and implementation of a comprehensive municipal code specifically tailored to regulate (Adult‐use) recreational marijuana retailers before any consideration is given to the removal of medical‐only restrictions. This code should address essential issues such as proximity to schools, advertising regulations, and stringent measures to prevent underage access. The impacts of Medical‐only Dispensaries vs. Adult‐use Recreational Dispensaries on a community are not equal, so the code defining them should not be the same.
Let us ensure that the interests of our children and the safety of our community are at the forefront of any decisions made regarding marijuana retail in Santa Monica. I kindly request that you carefully consider the potential ramifications of this proposal on our children's well‐being and education.
Thank you for your continued unwavering commitment to our community.
Sincerely,
Steve Rice
Sent from my iPhone
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Steven Rice <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 7, 2023 7:52 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: Opposition to a non medicinal marijuana only dispensary at 1416 Wilshire Boulevard ## to be clear medicinal only not recreational
EXTERNAL
Please be clear in the email just sent seconds ago No Recreational Use to be sold only medically recommended is what we support
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 7, 2023, at 7:48 PM, Steven Rice <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear council ‐
I strongly oppose the efforts to open this dispensary so close to Lincoln Middle School & Lincoln child development center. As a longtime resident, growing up in this community, attending both Lincoln Junior High ( at its time ) and then graduating from Samohi. Now my wife and I are raising young daughters who currently attend Roosevelt elementary school. To have this recreational shop so close to our kids is a horrible idea.
We understand the importance of ensuring access to medical marijuana for those in genuine need, but my family is deeply concerned that eliminating these restrictions without first establishing a clear and comprehensive municipal code subsection for (Adult‐use) recreational marijuana retailers would be premature and potentially harmful.
We commend the Council for its thoughtful approach on the selection of retailers and the establishment of local ordinances pertaining to Medicinal Cannabis Dispensaries in our city. In light of this, I respectfully urge the Santa Monica City Council to continue its diligent efforts and prioritize the development and implementation of a comprehensive municipal code specifically tailored to regulate (Adult‐use) recreational marijuana retailers before any consideration is given to the removal of medical‐ only restrictions. This code should address essential issues such as proximity to schools, advertising regulations, and stringent measures to prevent underage access. The impacts of Medical‐only Dispensaries vs. Adult‐use Recreational Dispensaries on a community are not equal, so the code defining them should not be the same.
Let us ensure that the interests of our children and the safety of our community are at the forefront of any decisions made regarding marijuana retail in Santa Monica. I kindly request that you carefully consider the potential ramifications of this proposal on our children's well‐being and education.
Thank you for your continued unwavering commitment to our community.
Sincerely,
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
2 Steve Rice
Sent from my iPhone
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Wendy Meyer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 9, 2023 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Clerk Re: Adult-Use Cannabis IZO
EXTERNAL
Hello,
I would like to submit a public comment to the Oct. 10, 2023 City Council member meeting.
Dear City Council Members, I would like the council to oppose amending the Interim Zoning Ordinance, until it can establish a clear and comprehensive municipal code subsection for (adult-use) recreational marijuana retailers. As a member of the community and a parent of underage students, I am concerned about recreational marijuana being sold in close proximity to the middle school.
Thank you,
Wendy Meyer
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Esther Hickman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 9:50 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox
Subject: Agenda Item 10.C_Cannabis Label Warnings
EXTERNAL
Dear Honorable Council Members,
Please ask staff to work on facilitating prominent health warnings on all the possible health risks associated with cannabis consumption.
Not everyone metabolizes the properties in these products equally and kids should especially understand this.
Unfortunately, I have too many personal family stories about mental illness to share around this.
Being a 30 year patient of ankylosing spondylitis which requires a constant pain management regimen, I can tell you that medical marijuana is not for everyone to dabble in and should come with prominent warnings.
Also, have you driven through Van Nuys and North Hollywood lately? Not a pretty sight. Let's keep it professional, medical and with lots of prominent warning labels. It would be terrible if this initiative created new problems. ‐‐
Esther Hickman
Pico Neighborhood Resident
SMMUSD Alumni and Parent
310.600.7306
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Peter Borresen <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 10:19 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Esther Hickman
Subject: Agenda Item 10.C. City council 10/10/2023. Public written comment. Cannabis warning labels.
EXTERNAL
Prominent, tobacco style, cannabis warning labels.
Dear City Council,
The US Center for Disease Control (the CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) state that marijuana is proven to increase the risks of serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, and that it affects brain development, and causes many other serious harms.
It is astonishing that none of the city staff reports that I have seen discuss the health risks of cannabis. This is remiss of staff and must be addressed before going further.
I ask the council to pause further action regarding cannabis, and give staff time to look at requiring prominent health warnings at points of sale, on retail packaging and exterior signage.
Pot appears much more harmful to mental health than tobacco. As shown by many scientifically rigorous, peer reviewed studies, as referenced by the CDC, the NIH and many other health agencies,
We have health warnings for tobacco. To not have health warnings for pot is absurd.
Consumers have a right to know the risks they take when using a city-permitted, recreational drug.
And even for FDA medicines we require a list of side-effects and risks. By not warning of the risks, we open up the city to potential future expensive lawsuits from those who suffer psychosis and harm, when the risks are well known and proven. To say nothing of the harm to the individuals and to society regarding the increasing violence and homelessness resulting from rising cases of schizophrenia and psychosis. As we see every day on our streets.
Using the CDC and NIH websites as sources, I ask the council to send the staff report back and to ask staff to analyze the known health risks, and to study requiring prominent, tobacco style health warnings on retail packaging, and at the point of sale and outside stores.
I urge everyone to visit the CDC and NIH websites to read more about the health consequences of marijuana use.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Borresen,
Santa Monica
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Nicole villanova-price <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 10:27 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: NO to Dispensary location near Lincoln Middle School
EXTERNAL
We, as the people of Santa Monica have felt ignored and not the top of our city's priority for quite some time. And now this. The thought of our council and city approving a non‐medical dispensary location less than 800 feet from our community middle school is unconscionable. The fact that a medical one went up under the cloud of Covid was already disturbing. Please make this right and refuse Medicinal Cannabis Retailers anywhere near our schools. It took years for the city to decide on where we stand and to land here is just an embarrassment.
My 8th grader at Lincoln already shares with me stories of kids being high everyday and getting high in the bathrooms.
We do not need to make this reality even easier for teenagers.
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Trinedy Kru <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 11:04 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 10: City Clerk Re: Adult-Use Cannabis IZO
EXTERNAL
Subject: City Clerk Re: Adult-Use Cannabis IZO
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I am writing to you as a concerned parent, with three children currently attending schools in Santa Monica. I would like to express my strong opposition to the proposed removal of medical-only restrictions on marijuana retailers at this time. If this proposal is approved too hastily, it will fail to adequately consider the potential repercussions on our local community, particularly on Lincoln Middle School and Lincoln Child Development Center, which are situated less than 800 feet away from the proposed location of the previously granted Conditional Use Permit at 1416 Wilshire Blvd.
While I wholeheartedly understand the importance of ensuring access to medical marijuana for those in genuine need, I am deeply concerned that eliminating these restrictions without first establishing a clear and comprehensive municipal code subsection for (Adult-use) recreational marijuana retailers would be premature and potentially harmful.
I commend the Council for its thoughtful approach to the selection of retailers and the establishment of local ordinances pertaining to Medicinal Cannabis Dispensaries in our city. In light of this, I respectfully urge the Santa Monica City Council to continue its diligent efforts and prioritize the development and implementation of a comprehensive municipal code specifically tailored to regulate (Adult-use) recreational marijuana retailers before any consideration is given to the removal of medical-only restrictions. This code should address essential issues such as proximity to schools, advertising regulations, and stringent measures to prevent underage access.
The impacts of Medical-only Dispensaries vs. Adult-use Recreational Dispensaries on a community are not equal, so the code defining them should not be the same.
Let us ensure that the interests of our children and the safety of our community are at the forefront of any decisions made regarding marijuana retail in Santa Monica. I kindly request that you carefully consider the potential ramifications of this proposal on our children's well-being and education.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our community.
Sincerely,
Trinedy Krusell
Santa Monica Resident, Parent, Volunteer, Voter, Business Owner ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Sabrina Sin <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 11:48 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Clerk Re: Adult-Use Cannabis IZO
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I'm asking the City Council to oppose amending the Interim Zoning Ordinance, until it can establish a clear and comprehensive municipal code subsection for (adult‐use) recreational marijuana retailers. It is both premature and potentially harmful to do so without adequate review. The location (1416 Wilshire Blvd) of the dispensary had already raised concerns with parents, residents, neighbors when issued as a medicinal retailer within 800 feet away from both a preschool and middle school.
I would like to express my strong opposition to the proposed removal of medical‐only restrictions on marijuana retailers at this time. If this proposal is approved too hastily, it will fail to adequately consider the potential repercussions on our local community, particularly on Lincoln Middle School and Lincoln Child Development Center.
This code should address essential issues such as proximity to schools, advertising regulations, and stringent measures to prevent underage access. The impacts of Medical‐only Dispensaries vs. Adult‐use Recreational Dispensaries on a community are not equal, so the code defining them should not be the same.
Let us ensure that the interests of our children and the safety of our community are at the forefront of any decisions made regarding marijuana retail in Santa Monica. I kindly request that you carefully consider the potential ramifications of this proposal on our children's well‐being and education.
A Concerned Parent,
Sabrina Sin
Santa Monica Resident
‐‐‐
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
Subject: Re: Agenda Item #10 Adult-Use Cannabis IZO
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my deep concerns about the proposed removal of medical-only restrictions on marijuana retailers, particularly with regard to the establishment at 14th & Wilshire, known as “Harvest."
Dispensaries are intended to serve individuals with serious medical conditions, I am concerned about the agenda item proposing the removal of the medical use restriction for a local dispensary.
I applaud the initial responsible approach of the City Council in ensuring that the proposed store at 14th & Wilshire, "Harvest," operated exclusively for medicinal purposes. It is essential to recognize that the existing legislation does not prohibit a city from adopting ordinances or policies that further restrict the location or establishment of medicinal cannabis cooperatives, collectives, dispensaries, operators, establishments, or providers.
Therefore, I urge you NOT to remove the medicinal use restriction for this dispensary. Given the well-documented detrimental mental and physical health effects associated with cannabis and related products, the existence of such stores should be approached with caution.
Additionally, I implore you to take proactive steps to strengthen the Santa Monica ordinances and policies governing Cannabis shops. We must prioritize the health and well-being of Santa Monicans, especially our children. To this end, I urge you to develop robust ordinances and policies aimed at preventing children from accessing marijuana and non-smoking marijuana products such as edibles, to restrict advertising and promotion targeting children and youth in any form, whether it be through smoking, edibles, liquids, or vaping/electronic delivery systems.
Moreover, I recommend introducing restrictions on the marketing of cannabis flavors and flavored additives that could appeal to youth. These measures are crucial to discourage cannabis use among adolescents and protect their health. Looking forward, I propose that you consider a minimum proximity requirement of 1000 feet between cannabis storefronts and schools, in alignment with drug-free school zones. This step would further safeguard our youth and educational institutions from the potential influence of marijuana dispensaries, as proximity correlates to increased youth cannabis use.
Thank you for your dedication and service to our city. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. I trust that you will carefully consider these concerns and ensure that we have the necessary policies in place to responsibly move forward. Let us work together to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of Santa Monicans for years to come.
Sincerely,
Danielle Litak
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Erika Bell <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 3:58 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre
Subject: City Clerk Re: Adult-Use Cannabis IZO
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I am writing to you as a concerned parent, with two children currently attending schools in Santa Monica. I would like to express my strong opposition to the proposed removal of medical-only restrictions on marijuana retailers at this time. If this proposal is approved too hastily, it will fail to adequately consider the potential repercussions on our local community, particularly on Lincoln Middle School and Lincoln Child Development Center, which are situated less than 800 feet away from the proposed location of the previously granted Conditional Use Permit at 1416 Wilshire Blvd.
While I wholeheartedly understand the importance of ensuring access to medical marijuana for those in genuine need, I am deeply concerned that eliminating these restrictions without first establishing a clear and comprehensive municipal code subsection for (Adult-use) recreational marijuana retailers would be premature and potentially harmful.
I commend the Council for its thoughtful approach to the selection of retailers and the establishment of local ordinances pertaining to Medicinal Cannabis Dispensaries in our city. In light of this, I respectfully urge the Santa Monica City Council to continue its diligent efforts and prioritize the development and implementation of a comprehensive municipal code specifically tailored to regulate (Adult-use) recreational marijuana retailers before any consideration is given to the removal of medical-only restrictions. This code should address essential issues such as proximity to schools, advertising regulations, and stringent measures to prevent underage access. The impacts of Medical-only Dispensaries vs. Adult-use Recreational Dispensaries on a community are not equal, so the code defining them should not be the same.
Let us ensure that the interests of our children and the safety of our community are at the forefront of any decisions made regarding marijuana retail in Santa Monica. I kindly request that you carefully consider the potential ramifications of this proposal on our children's well-being and education.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our community.
Take care,
Erika Bell
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023
ITEM 10.C.
October 10, 2023