Dope Lobby Back to Work In Fullerton After Holidays
Yesterday our young and lively friend, sweet Elijah Manaserro published an article on the Fullerton Observer blog. I call it an article because it isn’t a news story – almost devoid of journalistic content – it is really an opinion essay.
Out of the blue our tender sprout decided to elevate an issue completely off the radar – illicit cannabis dispensaries. And he shares the turmoil caused by these unlicensed, unregulated stores. “Whack-a-mole” he calls it, and dramatically claims the cost of enforcement is “staggering.” Of course the cost isn’t staggering at all, but when you are acting on behalf of a huge, monied interest, hyperbole is okay, I guess.
Where the green shoot Elijah is going with this is clear. It’s same logic and language used by the Fullerton Observer and by “Dr.” Ahmad Zahra in the past to promote legal dispensaries. Since Fullerton can’t control the illegal activity, we might as well make it okay.
The good folks behind the legal dispensary push – the Dope Lobby – have been trying for years to get this use legalized in Fullerton, and it looks like they’re still hard at work – through the Observer and the green sprig Manaserro, the Zahra acolyte and possibly closed session confidante.
This issue is not peanuts to the Dope Lobby, which consists of two elements: the lobbyists for actual dispensary companies, and the local grocery store workers union who represent dues paying cannabis store workers.
A year ago the grocery workers local union UFCW 324, no doubt supported by the lobbyists behind the scenes, pumped a staggering $60,000 via the national HQ into a political action committee to get “Cannabis Kitty” Jaramillo elected to represent Fullerton’s 4th District. That effort failed, but the cash motivation endures.
The UFCW PAC paid $4000 to Andre Charles, husband of councilperson Shana Charles, to do some sort of work for the Team Jaramillo campaign; we can assume, I think, that Charles is certain to support a new cannabis ordinance, given her personal economic connection. This means that the Dope Lobby is still just one vote away from getting their majority in 2026 and a revitalized dope zone map.
Still don’t see connections? Guess who Zahra picked to be his representative on the so-called Sustainable Budget Committee?
Zahra chose Derek Smith, that’s who. He’s The government lobbyist for the cannabis workers a fact that has never excited young Elijah’s curiosity.
But now back to our fragile fleur of an “investigative reporter,” Manassero. He claims (dramatically, of course) that the illegal dispensaries have been “near schools” but conveniently doesn’t say which ones. The few addresses he cites to bolster his essay are no where near any schools. Of course in his dissertation he fails to mention that the previous dope ordinance, passed in the last hours of 2020, before a new council was sworn in, permitted dispensaries within 101 feet of our homes.
Finally, and inevitably, callow young Manaserro directs attention to the real issue: the budgetary benefits of cannabis sales taxes. This has always been a big motivator for MJ support in City Hall, given the fact that general sales tax increases, like 2020s Measure S, are difficult to pass. The proposed special sales taxes discussed last year need a two thirds majority to pass.
Here’s my prediction: as spring 2026 advances, we will see Fullerton Boohoo, Fullerton Angry, Fullerton Childish, and Fullerton Fun begin to advocate for legal cannabis stores, and harass the council majority to implement a new ordinance. As the August ballot deadline approaches we’ll hear even more racket from these people.
Out of the blue is right. This is no coincidence, especially after the City asked the DA to investigate Zahra for leaking closed session stuff to young Elijah. So he present this.
Tony Bushala was represented by cannabis lobbyist Ken Spiker. The Bushalas also own a dispensary in Adelanto
Let’s allow Cannabis so Tony B. can rake in the green!
Well, why not. He already has $400,000,000 coming his way (according to fragile buttercup Manaserro).
Wrong Bushala, genius.
You can go weed in Adelanto? Wrong Bushala moron. Tony Bushala is a purchaser not a purveyor idiot. You may want to check more than Google dipshit.
Would Charles recuse herself? After all she benefitted financially from the dope PAC.
Poor Elijah always being used by somebody or other.
“Zahra doesn’t have a job!” – Fred has not had a real job in over a decade
“The cannabis lobbyists are controlling Zahra and Charles!” – Bushala was represented by a cannabis lobbyist. The family has been tied to the industry for years
“Fullerton Boohoo is always crying!” – Every post on this blog is emotional ranting with a dash of unpersuasive rhetoric
To the person scrolling, are you getting the picture now? It’s called projection
First, ya got the wrong Bushala. The one you said was the good one and who got in a lawsuit with his Adelanto partner.
Second, Zahra doesn’t have a job and hasn’t had one since he left Little Rock abandoning his little bride – a woman.
There isn’t a rant in this post – just an assessment and a prediction. And FFFF doesn’t pretend to be a journalist endeavor like you and the Observer.
Fred sure has a lot of money for someone who doesn’t have a real job dummy.
Swing and a miss on that one. A H2O stipend doesn’t pay the mortgage. Ask Ahmad. Oh wait, he doesn’t own a home.
But he owns two sport coats, two shirts, one pair of pants and two neckties.
Ahmad has always dressed like a flood victim.
His job is being “Ahmad Zahra, First Gay Muslim This or That.” He is currently being investigated by the FPPC for campaign finance slight of hand. I guess campaign money fiddling is a sort of a job, too.
Ahmad Zahra is currently under investigation by the FPPC for 33 violations, each carrying a potential penalty of up to $5,000. The reason he announced he is not running again is likely because he cut a deal with the FPPC; he simply cannot afford the financial consequences of those violations. While the complaint was filed a while back, the official documents have not yet been released, but sources in Sacramento indicate the delay is because the findings are so damning. He reportedly buried himself deep by using campaign funds to pay for personal credit card bills—including food, clothing, and utilities—as well as his monthly car payment. These were blatant misuse of funds, and once the details come out, the damage will be severe. It appears he has agreed to seal the case in exchange for ending his political career. This is typical behavior for Zahra; he previously hired an attorney, Irvine attorney, Lauren Johnson-Norris, to cut a similar deal with the Orange County DA after he was busted for assault, battery, and vandalism against a woman. Back then, they agreed to seal the case as long as he stayed out of criminal trouble for five years. Now, it looks like history is repeating itself with the FPPC.
When the leaker becomes the…oh whatever. Nice scoop. Eff this criminal.
Possibly true about “sealing the case” but I don’t think so. The FPPC cuts deals but they always involve the size of the fines they issue. Things can be sweet-talked down, but not away.
It sure does look like there was some serious monkey business going on, whuch begs the the question, if so, why did Zahra’s top notch campaign treasurer go along?
Tammy could be in trouble, too.
Ok… I guess I’m the only real libertarian left on this site. You didn’t even explain how weed being illegal is better
You aren’t a libertarian. You are a tender young puppet.
Manaserro, like all Fullerton Boohoo, Charles, and Zahra, doesn’t have even a casual relationship with truth.
Whack-a-mole was the term used by the city attorney. Every time I actually read the articles you mention, I realize how bullshit these posts are
Haha. That’s what you took away from this post? You’re cute. I like you.
Oh, btw, Sweet Elijah’s chosen headline: “Fullerton Plays Whack-A-Mole With Illegal Dispensaries.” Try harder. Focus,
FDT Fmaga Fice
WTFice?
FTD = Fuck Donald Trump.
Fmaga = Fuck MAGA.
FICE means Fuck ICE.
I’m on the same page as you are, anonymous!
More like Fice = Fuck ICE