Park saved from Big Cannabi$… for now
At about 10:30 last night, at the Berkeley City Council meeting, Mayor Jesse Arreguin pulled the item for cannabis events at Cesar Chavez Park off the agenda … for now. The move followed strong objections from a number of concerned Berkeley residents and park visitors across a wide range of concerns. People who need to breathe clean air opposed it; people who love the park’s family atmosphere opposed it; people who love the park’s wildlife opposed it; even dog lovers opposed it, and strongly, because cannabis is a deadly poison for canines.
The mayor’s last-minute rethink now refers the three-day Big Cannabi$ blowout to Berkeley’s commissions. The Parks and Waterfront Commission and the Cannabis Commission (yes, Berkeley has one) were mentioned. The Community Health Commission should also be included, as should the Community Environmental Advisory Commission and the Children, Youth, and Recreation Commission, as well as the Youth Commission. The Disability Commission should have a voice because smoking in the park impacts all people who suffer from respiratory impairments such as asthma. Because of fire danger from smoking at the park, the Disaster and Fire Safety Commission ought to review the proposal. Due to the great likelihood of stoned drivers emerging from the event, the Berkeley Police Department will be burdened and ought to submit an enforcement plan and associated budget for the proposed event.
Sources say that the proposal will meet with strong opposition on the Parks and Waterfront Commission. A member of the Health Commission also spoke at the council meeting about the dangers of cannabis to youth and pregnant women. The Cannabis Commission’s published minutes show discussion of indoor cannabis consumption events but, so far, no mention of the proposed High Times Cannabis Cup in the park.
The park is spared the Big Cannabi$ impact for the moment. But the proposal is far from dead. People who love Cesar Chavez Park need to remain alert and speak up loud and clear in all available venues to save the park.
Similar Posts:
- City Council: Stage Your Marijuana Revels Elsewhere
- Big Cannabi$ and the Tuskegee Experiment
- Why Big Cannabis Wants Our Park
- Prevent Park Abuse
- Zombie Cannabis Project Dead Again… For Now
- The Cannabi$ Scam Again
- Marijuana Proposal “Extremely Troublesome”
- Our Park Is Not a Dump for Events No One Else Wants
I’ve edited the item to include the Disability Commission. Thanks for the comment.
yes thank Goodness, but all need to keep eyes wide open so they don’t try to slide it through on Consent calendar as they did a few months back.
The commission on disability should also be consulted since it would clearly violate the American’s with disabilities act if this were to go through. And I am sure there would be strong opposition due to asthma, EI/MCS issues.
I am not a fan of capitalism. I don’t think people should be pushing product, be it pot, or be it wine, in a public park. I am happy that there is no inappropriate and delusional comparison of the situation to the Tuskegee Experiments! (Please! Give me a break!)