TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
Marlene Best, City Manager
Shawn Hagerty, City Attorney
FROM: Annette Ortiz, CMC, City Clerk
DATE: June 12, 2024
SUBJ: Updated Council Meeting Materials – June 12, 2024 NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
The attached correspondence for Non-Agenda Public Comment was received and is provided for your consideration.
From: Barbara Gordon
To: John Minto; Rob McNelis; Dustin Trotter; Ronn Hall; Laura Koval Cc: Clerk Info
Subject: Public Comment
Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 5:29:50 AM
Dear City Council Members,
I attended a conference in Sacramento this month that reminded me how costly tobacco and marijuana is to the state and our community. It’s imperative to prioritize health and well-being instead of supporting or promoting products that are addictive.
The financial costs to the healthcare system, environmental cleanup and loss of productivity are an enormous cost to the taxpayer. Tobacco and marijuana remain a significant public health concern. Tobacco smoke contributes to various preventable diseases and death of nearly 40,000 CA every year, that is 110 people every day.
Predatory industries like tobacco and marijuana intentionally target and profit off young people by selling their products to our communities. The industry spends billions of dollars marketing and advertising their products, especially marginalized communities making addiction more affordable.
These drugs are not harmless, regardless of what any company or state or local government would like you to believe. Families and taxpayers continue to bear the cost from the harm and health issues that follow.
I urge you to not ignore the risk factors, such as the perceived acceptability.
Policymakers can influence the prevention landscape that can change the lives of their residents.
Thank you,
Barbara Gordon