From the Sonoma Index-Tribune:

Buzz kill: Council walks back on Sparc pot dispensary

"Uncertainty was interjected into Sonoma’s cannabis future this week when the Sonoma City Council failed to approve negotiated terms for a commercial dispensary license for Sparc, the Santa Rosa-based cannabis cultivation and sales company chosen to be Sonoma’s sole dispensary.

Less than half an hour into its Oct. 5 meeting, the city council cast doubt on its own selection process and halted forward progress on its effort to license a cannabis dispensary before the Nov. 3 vote on Measure Y. That signature-driven petition circulated in 2018 to allow multiple cannabis dispensaries in Sonoma with no city council oversight..."

Hello everyone,

The following is not an official position of SVCG. I cannot speak for all our members. But, as an advocate for patient access to medicinal cannabis, I think it’s important to help voters understand Measure Y.

On one hand, Measure Y removes nearly all of the city's control over cannabis businesses. The city had already put an ordinance in place that allowed for a limited number of such businesses and its regulations were arguably reasonable.

On the other hand, Measure Y removes the barriers to opening cannabis businesses in the city, treating them as any other legitimate businesses seeking to establish themselves in Sonoma.

The Index-Tribune story, above, prompted me to make the following statement directly to the city council and staff at its October 19 meeting:

"Originally, I supported the city and its stand against Measure Y, largely out of gratitude for all the work it had put into finally passing an ordinance and also because of the personal attacks made on council members by the proponent of that measure.

Though at the time, I felt the new regulations were arguably reasonable, as we drew closer to the upcoming election, I received significant, well-reasoned, pushback from some in the cannabis industry. This led me to take a neutral position.

Now, unfortunately, due to a very complicated and embarrassing turn of events, the dispensary process is suddenly in limbo, with no clear path to recovery.

People are disappointed in the city council. They are frustrated and angry that all the progress made after three long years has stalled. If they can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, many will decide it's time to cut and run and vote for Measure Y. And who can blame them?

Though I felt a certain loyalty to the council for passing an ordinance, ultimately, my loyalty is to all those who rely on medicinal cannabis. Patients and their welfare have been the core of my 30-year support for medical use, just as it has been for Jewel and Ken.

Time to make a choice. The city’s current process is overly complex, restrictive and expensive. It cost its citizens a lot of money with nothing to show for it, so far. It’s time to consider cannabis businesses like any other legal business.

I’m going to support Measure Y.

The passage of Y is far from a sure bet. If it fails, it will be up to the city council to do its best to fast-track a reasonable solution for resurrecting the process.

If Y passes, it will fall to council to seek to amend it in ways that mitigate some of its issues without violating its spirit."

If you haven't yet voted and are looking for more information, check out our latest posts at the Sonoma Valley Cannabis Group web site and our special Measure Y page for additional background and links to the official ballot arguments.

And there you have it... And remember, no matter where you stand on an issue or candidate, Vote!  : - )

Best Regards,

Gil Latimer

Sonoma Valley Cannabis Group