A Modest Proposal: the Case for Cannabis Dispensaries in Fullerton
The other day my FFFF colleague, Fullerton Harpoon, published a post on a possible move on the part of Fullerton’s annoying liberal claque to drum up support for legalizing cannabis dispensaries in town.
It’s really hard to get worked up over Doc HeeHaw’s illegal “hip hop drug guy,” and Fullerton Harpoon was quite right in pointing out the absurdity of the “it costs so much to crack down on illegal stores” as a good argument for legal dispensaries when the real reason to have them is to generate large amounts of cannabis sales taxes and fee revenue.
With the Fullerton budget in parlous condition, cannabis revenue derived from an intelligent program isn’t such an unreasonable idea.
Let’s quickly dive back into history when we examine the previous cannabis dispensary ordinance and its revocation in 2020 and 2021.
Throughout 2020 public discussion was held regarding a potential cannabis dispensary ordinance. Public input was clear people wanted a 1000 foot buffer from “sensitive receptors” such as schools, parks, and houses. In fact the consultant’s map that reflected this desire became known as “the People’s Map.”
That was the map approved for recommendation by Fullerton’s Planning Commission. But a funny thing happened on the way to the City Council.
The ordinance was pushed through by the Council 3-2, in the waning months of 2020, even though an election promised a new councilmembers. Jan Flory, Jesus Quirk-Silva, and of course Ahmad Zahra voted yes. Jennifer Fitzgerald and Bruce Whitaker voted no.
The problem that many saw was that in the modified plan there was now generous latitude of potential locations, even to have a dispensary 100 feet from a residential zone. This latitude was undoubtedly the result of dope lobby pressure on Zahra and Quirk-Silva to increase their opportunities as much as possible, and to “share the pain” as Quirk-Silva put it. The public could shove it where the sun didn’t shine.
The other obvious problem was that the ordinance invested the authority to approve cannabis licenses in the hands of the City Manager, who at the time was the incompetent Ken Domer; the decisions would be shrouded in secrecy instead of transparently, in public
The People’s Map had been sandbagged by Flory, Zahra and Quirk-Silva.
In December 2020 and in the early months of 2021 the two new councilmembers – Fred Jung and Nick Dunlap joined Whitaker in pulling the plug on the ordinance. No one has tried to resurrect the issue – yet.
So I have a modest proposal. Why not go back to the People’s Map? Why not go back to the earlier suggestions that would have banned these stores within 1000 feet of anybody’s residence? In addition, why not require street visibility from a Primary or Secondary arterial so everything is in plain view? Sure, almost all of the cannabis businesses would be in southwest Fullerton – Council District 5, so what? That’s the reality of Fullerton’s zoning code.
As far as other revenue options go, two proposed special sales taxes on the 2026 ballot might not pass as they require 2/3 majority; even if the council waffles toward reverting to a general sales tax there would have to be 4 council votes to put it on the ballot. Are they there? Without these revenue sources the practical financial aspect of cannabis-generated revenue appears useful.
The same argument against a special or general sales tax increase is always there: why should everybody be asked to make a sacrifice for the city’s welfare when the City Council and the hundreds of municipal employees, whose salaries and benefits paid for by the public, have sacrificed nothing?
And here’s a final thought: why not restrict cannabis revenue to specific deployment – such as roads, sidewalks and street lights?
Difficult decisions such as who gets licenses and how many there should be remain. I’m not confident in our existing bureaucracy to regulate this use successfully, but to me an intelligent rethink of the issue that minimizes citizen concerns is not a bad idea at all.
1000 ft buffer so all of the dispensaries are in South Fullerton where Bushala owns properties. Cronies
Right on cue, tender Elijah. Go cry on Zahra’s shoulders. Or elsewhere. You want legal dope or not?
The choices you’re presenting: prohibited marijuana or legal marijuana with Bushala subsidies.
I’ll take the 3rd option: legal cannabis that is fair and good for the city. No Bushala subsidies!
I don’t think you know what subsidy means young Elijah.
Tony’s properties in Fullerton are either in or within 1000 of residential zones. But you knew that, right?
The parcel holding 707-711 Raymond is clearly outside the 1000 ft buffer zone.
He already owns a dispensary in Adelanto, does he not?
Once again you’re confusing Bushalas. Not unusual for a star Observer “investigative reporter.”
711 Raymond is a beat up old auto transmission shop.
Elijah thinks all beat up old auto transmission shops are fronts for dispensaries. AAMCO spells weed as far as his limited education is concerned. Kids!
All of these conditions so Bushala can have a monopoly on cannabis in Fullerton
Go to bed Elijah. Grown ups are talking about stuff.
There’s really not that much money to be made in the weed business anymore unless you’re the one growing it and selling it wholesale. The tax revenue generated at the retail sales level isn’t life-changing so it’s not the magic bullet some folks make it out to be. Legal weed is still competing against illegal weed on the black market. Legal or not, people are still cheapstakes and will buy on the black market so they can save on the overhead costs and taxes at the retail shop.
Oh ok, let’s not make it fair for everyone. Let’s just rig it for Bushala. That sounds like a great plan
Fair for everyone? it’s never going to be fair to the people who live on the other side of the alley behind the dope store.
The industrial zone is the BEST place for this type of thing – in clear sight of everybody and no back alley locations.
Your Bushala Derangement Syndrome is really sad. Get help.
I think that’s probably the best argument against the foolish “whack-a-mole” approach and people have said so.
Still, the City of Vista makes a lot from cannabis and so does Santa Ana. I know people who drive down to Santa Ana all the time.
Orange County north of the 91 has a population of at least 700,000.
The only “dope lobby” is the one trying to push 1000 ft buffers. So much more restrictive than other cities. It’s so obvious that this is just an attempt to slow Bushala a monopoly over cannabis stores.
This is the most masked-off I’ve seen you
Good Lord Elijah, you’re a busy little beaver tonight. Way past your bedtime. Zahra must be worried.
Yes, I know you.
Zahra thought dispensaries within 100 feet of somebody’s house was cool. I do not the majority of people at those 2019-2020 public gathering wanted that 1000 ft. buffer. Zahra and Quirk-Silva did not. Both are minions of the Long Beach dope cartel, just yearning for money like that $60,000 Cannabis Kitty got from the lobby.
We got rid of Quirk-Silva and and Jaramillo. Zahra’s going. Let’s go back to the People’s Map.
One of these should go in on Chapman Ave. Right behind Quirk’s house – the one with the
unpermitted gazebo.
Zahra doesn’t have a house.
Is Flory still alive?
I have a feeling the doggy might outlive the flory…
Feel sorry for that bitch.
This is much better than what was previously proposed. I believe this is an intelligent way to move forward. I think that disagreeing because you believe it is beneficial to only one person is childish. Grow up and get over it so we can all benefit from it.
Marijuana should be legal everywhere and alcohol needs to be banned.
Get Ice out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!