Thank you to everyone who sent emails, made calls, signed the Petition, and submitted public comments to Santa Clara County Officials urging them to amend their policy and allow adult-use dispensaries to continue operating under Shelter-in-Place Orders.
As we write this, our Petition has over 18,000 signatures, thanks to all of you! However, despite mounting public pressure, Santa Clara County has yet to lift their de-facto ban on constituents' rights to safe legal, adult-use cannabis. Though it may be well intentioned, this policy is misguided and presents a public health threat to consumers who are now more likely to turn to the underground market to purchase untested, unregulated products.
It is critical that we reverse this policy before it spreads to other Counties and Cities.
Here are ways you can help:
ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM at the Board of Supervisor's Meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 10am. Here is a link to the Zoom meeting. https://zoom.us/j/108098082
Raise your hand to give a 1 minute comment to make your voice heard. More details regarding how to submit public comments can be found here. https://www.sccgov.org/sites/bos/Pages/Meetings.aspx
We will be speaking on Agenda Items 8 and 9. See messaging below.
SUBMIT WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS BY EMAIL to boardoperations@cob.sccgov.org
for the Board of Supervisors meeting. Please do this ASAP!
SIGN THE PETITION & SHARE IT WITH YOUR NETWORK.
Sample Script for Written and Spoken Public Comments:
You can use this as a sample script. We encourage you to use your own messaging as to how this policy impacts you, others in your community, or your business. The reasons you gave for signing the Petition in your own words were heartfelt and compelling. Just do that again—short, sweet, and in your own voice.
Here are some bullet points for inspiration:
I use cannabis medicine (say why). I have not needed a doctor's recommendation in 3 years. Why do I need one now? This is expensive and inconvenient under Shelter-in-Place Orders and interferes with my healthcare.
Every time you call adult-use medical cannabis "recreational" I feel insulted and misunderstood. Please understand that under the law today, I get to decide what is therapeutic for me— not you, and not a doctor. Just like I decide if I want Aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, or Sudafed.
Limiting in-store purchases of cannabis to medical patients with a written doctor's recommendation severely limits access to safe and legal cannabis as the vast majority of medical cannabis patients no longer have a doctor's recommendation since they are no longer required under Prop 64.
Low or fixed income patients are less likely to have a bank account or credit card, and will not be able to access delivery. By closing in-store access, thousands of adults will turn to the unregulated market, where they are more likely to purchase products that are untested and unsafe.
Dispensary workers are wearing gloves and masks, enforcing social distancing and sanitizing practices for both patrons and employees, and implementing delivery and curb-side pick up as the recommended options.
Cannabis is essential and must be made readily accessible during this time, just like other over-the-counter and prescription medicines, not to mention items like alcohol and tobacco, which are readily available. Please allow all cannabis businesses to continue serving the health and wellness of all Californians!
Thanks again for advocating for safe, legal access to cannabis during this time. We sincerely appreciate your support.
Best,
James
James Anthony
PRINCIPAL, www.AnthonyLaw.Group
(510) 842-3553 office
(510) 207-6243 cell
james@anthonylaw.group