From ASA
San Diego Americans for Safe Access, a cannabis patient advocacy group along with San Diego Diversity Cannabis Group invites you to demand Mayor Todd Gloria get behind more cannabis collectives into the city of San Diego.
We are rallying at the Mayor’s State of the City address to support the proposed Cannabis Social Equity and Economic Development (SEED) program! This will be on Wed., January 10 @6PM at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.
The goal of the program is to achieve greater access to medical cannabis for patients, especially in underserved areas where there are deserts to access. The proposed 36 potential retail collectives would have priority licenses and considerations for people who have been incarcerated for cannabis and reside or resided in areas of San Diego which have been historically over-policed. It is a social justice program funded by the state in the form of grants to cities interested in mitigating the harms of over-policing and fulfilling the state’s push to get more regulated retail access operating in the state’s cities and counties.
We thought with a progressive Mayor and Council we could achieve this important goal but we were wrong to think it would be easy. Special interests have stalled the program’s advancement. As evidenced by the letter sent to the Mayor, press, state officials, and other interested parties, the work must ramp up.
Studies show cities should plan for one cannabis retail outlet per 10-17,000 citizens. San Diego has one outlet per 100,000.
Mayor Todd Gloria is running for another term. He has a challenger – a cannabis community favorite in Geneviéve Jones-Wright – who just announced her run to take his position. Jones-Wright is deeply committed to the cannabis community. In her bid for District Attorney several years ago, she made lasting friendships with our folks.
Please tentatively save the date: Jan. 10th at 6PM at Balboa Theatre Near 4th and E St. at Horton Plaza. Please wear a white shirt, if possible, patches and signs will be available or bring your own. Stay tuned to this event page and the Mayor’s press office in the event that the date of the State of the City Address is changed.
Hi folks!
Here are some links that didn’t make it into this post:
The Facebook event https://fb.me/e/3kgKejgKw.
Here you can read about the SEED Program:
https://sandiego.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonlinecomm/Documents/ViewDocument/Item%203.pptx.pdf?meetingId=5646&documentType=Agenda&itemId=223568&publishId=751175&isSection=false
Great Post! The rally for cannabis equity signals a demand for a fair and inclusive cannabis industry that addresses historical injustices and ensures that the benefits of legalization are accessible to all members of the community.
Exactly right, Jason! And much deserved, owed even! Hope to see you on the 10th.
Studies show cities should plan for one cannabis retail outlet per 10-17,000 citizens. San Diego has one outlet per 100,000.
Not everybody uses, the number seems fuzzy? Either way, just beat Gloria.
Hi Chris,
That 1 outlet per 10-17K formula is based on 12 CA lawmakers studying the issue and forwarding a bill (in 2019) that would have, with a few caveats, mandated 1 cannabis outlet per 10k people. Because of the caveats, I rolled up to the higher figure of 17K. Not exactly scientific, I admit. Still lawmakers agreed on 10k for this bill.
Read more here here from Assembly Member Ting who authored the bill.
https://a19.asmdc.org/news/20190513-california-might-triple-number-marijuana-shops-across-state
The bill didn’t pass but the research remains unchallenged to my knowledge.
I always keep in mind that the sweet-spot is sought by lawmakers in order to drive cannabis users to the legal market. Proximity is key for folks and the state is very motivated to get everybody into the regulated market.
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
So they were blowing smoke on that number I see