HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-17-2015 PH1 OgrenAGENDA
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Public Comment regarding Item Number PHI
San Luis Obispo City Council March 17, 2015
Paul Ogren
Manure from cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens and turkeys enriches our soils in a
wholly natural and wonderful way. And that manure also stinks. Should we ban the use of
these natural fertilizers because some in our community are offended by their smell? Of
course not.
A number of commonly cultivated flowering plants give off powerful scents that delight
most of us, but that can trigger ill health in those with allergies and /or asthma. One
example of that is the true Jasmine Vine, grown in many locations throughout San Luis
Obispo. I find the scent of Jasmine quite wonderful, but my sister -in -law becomes
immediately ill if she comes within 100 feet of this vine when in flower.
Should we ban the Jasmine vine in San Luis Obispo? Of course not.
This allergic reaction to the smell of Lavender, Roses, Lilies, Jasmine and certain other
strongly scented flowers has been well documented by scientific study, and is accepted
knowledge among practicing allergists and immunologists.
People who suffer from peanut allergies - especially children - are at risk of cross -
reactive illness when exposed to the scent of a host of other leguminous plants:
Jacaranda, Wisteria, Acacia, and even the simple Sweet Pea.
Should we ban the growing of these all these wonderful, elegant plants in San Luis
Obispo? Of course not. And yet this ordinance would effectively allow that to happen. If
three of my neighbors decided they were offended by the scent of the magical Wisteria
vine now in full bloom in my back yard, the city could compel me to rip it out. Would
that be good law? Of course not.
There is, by the way, not a scintilla of scientific data indicating that the scent of growing
Marijuana plants actually makes anyone ill.
It is also true that many of the trees growing in our community produce copious amounts
of pollen that routinely make approximately 10,000 city residents sick with allergies or
asthma each year. The most allergenic of these trees are male plant selections that
produce no seed or fruit to nourish our birds and wildlife, but huge amounts of allergenic
pollen: Ash, Juniper, Mulberry, Podocarpus, Chinese Pistache and Italian Cypress. And
the city itself is culpable in having planted many of these male trees on our boulevards, in
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our parks and other public spaces. Had it so chosen, the city could instead have planted
female tree selections of those same species that produce no allergenic pollen.
While it is true that the pollen from male Marijuana plants can can cause allergic
episodes, it is also true that none of the Marijuana plants grown for medicinal
consumption in the City of San Luis Obispo are male cultivars. Each and every medicinal
Marijuana plant being grown in our community is female, producing no pollen and no
adverse health affect on residents of our city.
Instead of limiting a citizen's ability to grow plants that make ill people healthy, the city
should perhaps consider limiting the growth of plants that make healthy people ill. A
number of American cities and other urban communities throughout our world are doing
precisely that.
While understanding that some in our community are offended by both the growth and
consumption of medical Marijuana, it is imperative that we remember some good advice
given us long ago.
One of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, told us: "That government is best which
governs least, because its people discipline themselves." And people can best discipline
themselves and their communities by developing good relationships with their neighbors.
Jefferson's point is simply this: when a government makes laws that are nor directly
connected to our safety and security, it is moving beyond the principal of good
governance.
The proposal before you tonight is a prime example of under - researched, unnecessary and
illegitimate government action, and unworthy of this extraordinary city in which we live.
And the only offensive odor I smell here tonight is that of sanctimonious behavior.
We already have Bishop's Peak, the Seven Sisters and the Irish Hills gracing our beautiful
city. We don't need the city council to make a further mountain out of the mole -hill of
medicinal marijuana cultivation.
Should this proposal be passed and become a permanent city ordinance? Of course not.
Thank you.
Paul Ogren
1055 Capistrano Court
San Luis Obispo, Ca 93405
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Estimated number of male Juniper trees /shrubs in SLO:
1500
Estimated number of male Ash trees in SLO:
91000
Estimated number of pollen- bearing Olive trees in SLO:
8,500
Estimated number of male Podocarpus trees /shrubs in SLO:
6,000
Estimated number of male Italian Cypress trees in SLO:
500
Estimated number of male Chinese Pistache trees in SLO:
200
Estimated number of male Mulberry trees in SLO:
19000
All of these trees and shrubs are introduced non - native ornamental plants. And all
of them produce copious amounts of highly allergenic pollen.
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