To the Editor:
Presented the following at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11, re: item 4b – moving Cannabis to General Government Committee meetings.
Like many residents of Mendocino County, I am concerned that our county government is not paying attention to the needs of the majority of the people. This has certainly held true for cannabis issues. We have been trying to convey to you we do not want expansion and your response seems to be, let’s draw this all out by kicking the can down the road to the General Government Committee.
The GGC had already been receiving monthly reports from the Cannabis Dept. What’s been lacking all along is inclusion of the general public for our input on anything cannabis-related. One need only to watch the youtube video of a Cannabis Ordinance Streamlining meeting dated Sept 18, 2023. Not a GGC or BOS meeting, it appears to be run by the Cannabis Dept. and its stated intent was to gather public input. Sadly, only three to four members from the cannabis community are in person or calling in via zoom. No one in attendance from the general public.
We’re concerned many changes were made or streamlined from the ordinance with little if any discussion with those of us most affected. A real eye opener as to the lack of the county’s desire to conduct open dialogue with all its constituency. We are hopeful this will change with this new board as there are still many cannabis issues to be addressed. We feel strongly, however, that the issue of expansion needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Our opposition to larger “commercial” grows has been well documented over the past several years. To the point that we feel even our two new supervisors are surely aware of the stance from both sides, the growers and the greater public. Neighborhoods have been negatively impacted leading to applications for CP (Cannabis Prohibition zones). The growers, their lobbyists and lawyers continue to push the envelope in hope of larger grows, with the help of county staff it would appear.
The economic reality is there is a glut of product being grown not only in California, but all across the nation. This is what has decimated prices, so allowing more to be grown makes absolutely no sense. It will drive prices further down, use more of our resources and most likely increase nuisances to our neighborhoods. Local grape growers are in the same situation, but one doesn’t hear them saying they need to grow more.
At the Oct. 2024 BOS meeting, local growers stated they do not believe even doubling the size of their grows is enough to make them viable. An indication that approving this expansion is not enough to make them happy and they will continue to want more. Many of them said as much during that meeting.
Switching all cannabis issues to the General Government Committee may have its place so long as all stakeholders, citizens at large included, have a place at the table. Kicking the issue of expansion down the road needs to be addressed now! It is time for common sense to prevail and the majority of the public to be heard over that of special interests. We would like to see a much more effective and thoughtful Board of Supervisors from here forward. We do believe this new configuration of the board realizes changes need to occur. So please, assert your authority over that of your staff and special interests and vote in favor of “we the people.”
–Frances and James Owen, Redwood Valley
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