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From Tess Greenberg Media & Special Events Coordinator
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
963.1433, ext. 110 Website: www.cadasb.org

Don’t Cannabis Our Community!!!
Coalition Calls for Ban on Dispensaries

Santa Barbara, CA – A widespread coalition, made up of various groups, including “Don’t Cannabis Our Community”, Santa Barbara Against Dispensaries, the Fighting Back Steering Committee, the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, citizens, business owners, and other non-profits engaged in treatment and prevention, are demanding a ban on marijuana dispensaries. The coalition intends to gather at City Hall before the Council meeting on the revised Medical Cannabis Dispensary ordinance on Tuesday May 18th, and publicly call for a ban. The Planning Commission Thursday reviewed the revised Medical Cannabis Dispensary Ordinance, and similarly called for a ban.

The mission statement for the coalition reads: ”We, the citizens of Santa Barbara demand protection for all of our citizens, schools, and recovery centers from the harm of marijuana sold from storefronts, and we demand immediate enforcement of all pot shops operating without permit. Our permitted dispensaries are breaking the law and we demand the city close them immediately.”

In the past week, prominent local leaders have echoed these sentiments, and provided insight on how Santa Barbara’s storefront pot shops have been operating. At the Fighting Back Steering Committee Press Conference May 12, Bill Brown, Santa Barbara County Sheriff said, "voters passed the Compassionate Use Act for the seriously ill, not for drug dealers to sell marijuana from storefronts for profit. The reality is that’s exactly what’s happening at these so-called dispensaries. Dispensaries are not collectives. Marijuana dispensaries create many problems while benefiting few citizens. They are a magnet for crime and criminals, who know that they contain large quantities of unregulated drugs and unreported cash. Marijuana dispensaries have appeared throughout Santa Barbara County – in incorporated and unincorporated areas alike. In reality they have proven to be money-making opportunities for drug traffickers who are anything, but seriously ill.”

With regards to illegal marijuana grows in the area, Brown said, ‘our department has

seen a 300% increase in the amount of illegally grown marijuana in the county in just this past year. These grows are often guarded by armed criminals. As such, they are a danger to innocent people such as ranch owners, hikers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts, and even those who are enlisted to tend the fields. We are still investigating an as-yet unsolved murder which is directly connected with an illegal marijuana grow in this county.”

Brown closed with “Dispensaries are public nuisances operating under the guise of legitimacy. It’s time for all Santa Barbara County residents to take a stand against marijuana dispensaries."

Tom Thomas, Community Member, Fighting Back Steering Committee Co-Chair said "what you permit, you promote.” This is a sentiment many in the coalition agree with because they feel there is no possible way the city can support the premise of just permitting dispensaries, while ignoring all the repercussions that permitting creates.

Dr. J. Brian Sarvis, Santa Barbara School Districts Superintendent, representing 15,500 students and their parents, said, “our students find it all too easy to obtain marijuana from the dispensaries. And it is unacceptable that dispensaries are marketing to kids with edibles and candy-like products. In September, the school board asked the city council to protect our children and protect our schools. They asked for a 1000-foot safe zone around our schools. Nothing has been done. The revisions to the ordinance still do not protect kids or schools. Since nothing has been done, I must join in the call for a complete ban on marijuana dispensaries in our community. Most of our students in recovery for drug addiction are fighting marijuana dependency - not other drugs -marijuana. They deserve our help and protection.”

The Planning Commission took up the matter of the revised ordinance Thursday, and unanimously called for a ban. The concern over the negative consequences that permitting dispensaries creates for the community was articulated by Commissioner Mike Jordan. “Ordinances are generally for community betterment. In this case, I don’t see something that betters my community. It doesn’t protect. It places additional burden on youth, parents, teachers, law enforcement, and has consequences we can’t begin to imagine.”

Echoing Jordan’s comments, Commissioner Sheila Lodge said, “I don’t see the need for a dispensary. I don’t see them as being non-profits. There’s got to be a reason all these people are going into it. I’d prefer not to see these at all.”

Commission Jacobs expressed similar sentiments. “We’re walking in the swamp here. Misinformation and abuse of CUA has led to erosion of middle ground which is where we want to be in land use ordinances. Some people want it all the way legal and fully available. On other hand, there are parents, the medical community, and the recovery community that say no, we don’t need dispensaries. There is no benefit to city, or public at large. I find myself in that second category.” She closed with, “we do not need even one of these dispensaries.”

The major concern for the Planning Commission, and for the coalition calling for a ban, is that City Council has consistently not taken their concerns into consideration during deliberation on the ordinance. Commissioner Jordan summed this up succinctly: “What’s the point of making recommendations if they’re to be ignored? We already know there won’t be written comments to council. What is the best way to work our concerns up the chain?”

The coalition calling for a ban always appears at City Council meetings wearing red, to show their support for drug-free youth. They encourage citizens to show up at Tuesday evening’s meeting in support of a ban, rather than allow the city to continue supporting the marijuana industry. The revised ordinance calls for 5 dispensaries in 7 zones of the city. It allows for sales of marijuana, and sale of edibles, some of which have already ended up in the hands of children. There are already 14 dispensaries open and operating in the greater Santa Barbara area. In the city proper, there are 7 dispensaries, while there are 26 businesses total that are in the marijuana industry. The group plans to rally at City Hall before the council meeting May 18th. A press conference is planned for 5:00 PM. The council meeting starts at 6:00 PM.

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