HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-2017 Item B1 (Rowley)
Meeting Date: November 15, 2017
SUBJECT: Zoning Regulations Update (Cannabis)
Dear Planning Commissioners,
I was disappointed that the cities picked as examples in the Draft White Paper, Case Studies in Local
Adult-use and Medical Marijuana Regulation, were not more comparable to San Luis Obispo both in size
and in the ratio of city population to university enrollment.
The three cities picked are far different from San Luis Obispo: Denver (population 682,545), Seattle
(population 704,352), and Portland (population 639,863). A search, albeit not extensive, found more
comparable cities in Colorado and Oregon, however, not in Washington. Cities in Washington of 110,000
or less that I found all seemed to have very small colleges, leaving Seattle (population 704,352) with the
University of Washington (enrollment 45,590) as the example.
Although not perfect as comparable cities, the following cities are more comparable in size, and include a
more comparable sized university. Thus, they might have given us a better picture of the results of the
availability of legal cannabis products on a city with a large population of young adults:
Boulder, CO – pop. 108,090 w/U of Colorado, Boulder – enrollment 33,250
Eugene, OR – pop. 160,600 w/U of Oregon – enrollment 22,980 and Lane College (FTE=12,160)
I had hoped that the White Paper would delve into information involving youngsters and teens who may
get the various cannabis products, especially consumables, from others – much as occurs with alcohol
today. If this had been addressed it could have provided us with valuable information that could be used
to make a more informed decision about which businesses and products would be the best fit for our
community.
Also absent from the report, and seemingly important to know, is whether the colleges located in the
comparable cities allowed cannabis use on campus. If they did not, were there any effects on residential
areas and/or schools near the campus and, if so, what were they?
Cal Poly has stated that no drugs will be allowed on campus. We can, therefore, expect some off-campus
drug use from this population. In addition, we have a large number of individuals who recently became
adults, and they may not be as careful as they should be about protecting cannabis products from being
found by children. This should be a consideration in anything we do.
I hope you will consider these comments when the details regarding potential cannabis businesses and
products return for your consideration.
Thank you,
Sandra Rowley
SLO Resident