I did something I’ve never done before in all my years living in the Massachusetts city I call home: I went to a meeting of our city government and spoke during the public comment period on an issue I felt strongly about. I hadn’t planned on speaking; I’d sent a letter to our Alderpeople earlier in the day. But after hearing other commenters I decided I wanted to share my views publicly, and I am glad I did. Grab a beverage (or if you are so inclined your favorite legal enjoyable substance) and join me after a word from our sponsor!
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In 2012 Massachusetts voters passed 63%-37% a ballot initiative legalizing the use of medical marijuana, followed in 2016 with the 54%-46% legalization of non-medical use. While other medical dispensaries opened earlier, my own city finally saw one open at the end of last year. It was situated far from city center, in an industrial section that many people tend to forget is part of the town. After two years of foot-dragging, the Commonwealth has seen the first retail dispensaries open in several locations.
My city voted (narrowly) in favor of legalizing recreational usage, and recently began considering where such a facility could be sited. There is a longer more complicated story here, but the TL;DR version is that the first location proposed (NOT the same location as our medical dispensary) complained bitterly, and so a proposal was made to alter zoning regulations to allow one in our city center. The public discussion and vote on this proposal was scheduled for early March.
And thus it came to pass, in the wake of that scheduling, that our Community Facebook group exploded with commentary.
I heard many voices speaking there FOR approving a site downtown. It would be no different than the shop selling wine and beer (we don’t allow hard liquor to be purchased in town except in sit-down venues serving food, ie restaurants) or the places selling tobacco, right? It would provide needed revenue from the 20% tax collected on retail sales (medical is exempt).
There were FAR more voices opposed, and they mostly spoke from places of fear and ignorance. Fear of who would be purchasing. Fear of the traffic it would bring (because there are so few retail dispensaries open, they do generate crowds). And repeatedly, fear of harming The Children.
My position? I see it as exactly no different than alcohol. It’s a product for use by adults 21+, strictly regulated. It’s going to be FAR safer than street-available product. And after a year as caregiver to someone using medical marijuana for chronic pain from an autoimmune condition and anxiety, I’ve seen firsthand just how beneficial it can be, AND who the clientele is. Full disclosure: Yes, I’ve inhaled. Not often since college, but at least once. I’m not embarrassed or ashamed except for that time I badly miscalculated how much was in that gummy worm. Oops. And I’ve done that miscalculation with tequila too, so still no different. Will I purchase from a store someday? Probably. Is it going to be a regular thing? Nope.
I was fairly vocal in the Facebook discussion and so at the suggestion of one of our Aldermen I sent a letter of support for the proposal to the full group, and showed up at the meeting to hear in person what was said. A longtime friend of mine, a writer and nutritionist now a vocal proponent of cannabis use after a member of her family used it medically, spoke early on. But many more voices spoke in opposition. And so I approached the mic, signed in, and read my submitted letter after tweaking it to address some of the points made so far… thank you Daily Kos for honing my comment skills!!
After the public commentary period ended, our elected officials each spoke. It’s useful to know that while our local city government is officially nonpartisan, most of the members are also members of our Democratic City Committee and I only know of one who is a registered Republican. So the commentary from person after person stunned me with the fearmongering, ignorance and downright stupidity. With two exceptions, everyone wanted the retail store colocated with the medical dispensary in what I think of as the NIMBY Zone. Here are just a sampling of what I heard:
- Now Is Not The Time to do this. Maybe Later. Yes, a person I know well from our local Democratic committee actually said those words. He also made clear he’s afraid of the type of person who will show up.
- We are setting a bad example for the children. THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!! I am. They won’t be allowed into the store, unlike alcohol and tobacco points of sale. The store isn’t allowed to advertise visibly, and public use of purchased products is illegal.
- THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!! Yes, this came up so often it needs multiple bullet points. Apparently having a retail dispensary where children can see it will lead to rampant escalation of use, stoned kids everywhere, and eventually everyone will be using heroin (OK I made that last point up, but it nearly got there). We allow them to buy pizza (the carbs!!), Monster or Red Bull (the caffeine!) and mocha frappuchinos (caffeine AND sugar!) unescorted, and sell alcohol tobacco and condoms all within one block of a proposed store, and yet an unlabeled store selling legal, non-fentanyl-laced weed is Bad.
- THE TRAFFIC, OMG THE TRAFFIC!!! Almost everyone who spoke against the downtown location mentioned The Traffic. There will be Too Much Traffic. Traffic will keep people from patronizing local businesses. So, a brewpub would be fine (an idea mentioned over and over as being a great addition to Our City), but folks who buy THC gummies don’t also buy flowers, get a haircut, or have their nails done. Not to mention buy pizza.
- The Character Of Our Fair City Would Change. Tell me my dear dKos readers, when has the argument “but we’ve always done it this way” EVER worked out well? Yeah.
It will not surprise you to learn that the proposal was voted down by a decisive majority. And so a retail establishment will be relegated to the far corner because everyone wants a piece of the potential revenue but our virtue signaling must be such that we make clear we Do Not Like It. I’m sure those who feel they ‘won’ will have a few celebratory drinks, maybe a cigar, and then the next day wake up with a quad 6-pump mocha. And it’s that hypocrisy over legal substances of choice that makes my blood boil.
I’m glad I showed up, spoke, and participated in the process. I made sure I looked each elected official in the eye. Is this issue enough to cause me to stop supporting my fellow Democrats? Only one, the one who sounded most like a dinosaur relic of a past era. His time is definitely done in my book, and while he isn’t my direct representative, I’ll certainly support whoever else runs that isn’t a known Republican. It won’t be my last time showing up, either. We have a host of issues and I realize it’s time to show up and speak up.
Lastly, want to know what drew more disapproving murmurs from the people seated behind me than my pro-zoning stance? I didn’t stand up for or recite the Pledge. I am pretty sure I was the ONLY person in the room who didn’t. It’s the first time I didn’t at least stand, and I admit to being a little nervous. But I’m glad I did that, too. And will keep doing so.
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From redstatelefty:
This was submitted after diary posted last night, but is still well worth the read! This comment by Doc Allen emphasized the great hypocrisy on the right when it comes to constitutionally protected speech! That is in reply to a fine comment by Liberal in a Red State. Please read both.
From2thanks:
Comes this diary-length comment by Mrmuni12, chock full of goodness.
And highlighted by 2thanks:
Is this link-informative comment by arhpdx, expanding today’s GNR.
Highlighted by mosesfreeman:
Is this comment by ProgressiveFirst, with a series of questions about the candidate straw polls.
Highlighted by Amaze:
Is this comment by GlastoSara, asking a question of Theresa May about Brexit many of us would like to see answered.
TOP MOJO
Top Mojo for yesterday, March 4th, 2019, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on FAQing Top Mojo.
TOP PICTURES
Top Pictures for March 5, 2019. Click any picture to be taken to the full comment or picture. Thank you jotter!