Now or Never

Hello SVCG members, Our apologies if you've seen this on our Facebook page, but just want to ensure that all members have been contacted. The following is a copy of our most recent post: Unfortunately, the clock is about to run out on a local dispensary. On a closer reading of Monday night’s Agenda Item, it appears that the fate of a dispensary that could serve Sonoma medical patients hangs on a vote **to occur in that meeting**. We only had a 72 hour heads up and it took us another 20 hours to realize the snag. We can tell you with some confidence that this vote will likely go 3-2 against Option 2 (Table A, p.5 of the Agenda Item Summary). Now, Option 2 doesn’t *commit* to a local dispensary. It only says to “Investigate and *possibly* implement regulations allowing a dispensary.” It further states, "City Council decision on whether or not to proceed with dispensary concept in 3 to 4 months." In other words, "let's just explore this possibility a little further and if it doesn't look like it will work out for us, we can decide against it in 3 to 4 months." Again, not a commitment, except to investigate further. Safe, convenient, local access to a walk-in dispensary allows patients a proper, first-hand experience that includes face-to-face consultation. A delivery-only service does not provide that. But Staff and certain members of the council feel this is a reasonable compromise. Let me ask, doesn’t a compromise require at least two parties? Did the patients and their families have any real say in this? The *only* way we can stop a 3-2 vote killing this necessary option is to contact the entire city council by email and/or phone in *large* numbers. And it *has* to happen in the next 24-36 hours. For better or worse, the matter is now in your hands. If you think allowing a dispensary is the right thing for the city to do, write them, call them: citycouncil@sonomacity.org That address automatically goes to all of them, including Staff. Please, be respectful, but be strong. Phone numbers (top 3 are most likely to be sitting on the fence): David Cook, Councilmember 707-490-8921 Gary Edwards, Mayor Pro Tem 707-695-0329 Madolyn Agrimonti, Councilmember 650-740-2540 Amy Harrington, Councilmember 415 812-4049 Rachel Hundley, Mayor 707-999-8394