HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/20/2018 Item 13, Vujovich-LaBarre
From:Mila Vujovich-LaBarre <
To:CityClerk; Harmon, Heidi; Pease, Andy; Gomez, Aaron; Rivoire, Dan; Christianson,
Carlyn; Council_All
Subject:Overview of Proposed Draft Cannabis Regulations
February 20, 2018
SUBJECT: Overview of Proposed Draft Cannabis Regulations
Dear Mayor Harmon and Members of the Council,
Thank you for the opportunity for this study session. I hope that you will consider the concerns already set
forth in agenda correspondence by both Jody Belsher, the President of Prevention of Substance Abuse for
Youth (POSAFY) and Sandra Rowley, the President of Residents for Quality Neighborhoods (RQN).
As a public school educator in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District for over 34 years, I have also served
as an advocate for the health and wellness of the children in our community. I was one of the founders of
County Friday Night Live and The 24 Hour Relay Challenge, the Mayor’s Award for Community Service at both
San Luis Obispo High School and Laguna Middle School and helped to implement a variety of support
programs. Currently, I am the Vice-President of POSAFY.
While I understand that many people on the Council may cite the percentage of people that voted for
Proposition 64 in our community as a “green light” for dispensaries and public use, that “yes” vote by many
was simply a move to decriminalize what some consider to be an ubiquitous substance in California. Actually
many voters were dissatisfied with the lack of success of the proverbial drug war. Some wanted to realize the
tax dollars from the business profits.
Please proceed cautiously in allowing for brick and mortar storefronts in our City.
San Luis Obispo is known for its wholesomeness and health. I sincerely feel that a brick and mortar storefronts
will impact the safety of residents and tarnish the reputation and feel of both residential neighborhoods and
commercial areas.
I feel that as a City we should take a cautious approach like the leaders in our County have. San Luis Obispo is
already currently a destination location for alcohol consumption as evidenced by the number of alcohol
outlets successfully doing business here and the number of wineries throughout the County.
I do not feel that City or County residents want San Luis Obispo to become a destination location for cannabis
purchase and use.
The available delivery services are adequately meeting the needs of marijuana users.
My biggest concern is the proximity of brick and mortar stores close to neighborhoods and schools. I sense
that it will damage the quality of life in those residential neighborhoods and lure impressionable students into
marijuana use.
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Currently, in our local schools, children attend school for about six hours per day. Our local students are
generally well-educated in many subjects and appropriately supervised on campus. However many learn
about the dangers of substance abuse from the media or their parents and guardians. Our local school
district currently lacks a well-coordinated, fact-based substance abuse prevention education. It is something
that they are working on. I implore you to work with parents, professionals in education and employees of at
the County Behavioral Health Department to continue to publicize and provide for education, counseling and
intervention to those that are challenged with drug use. Teens should not use marijuana, alcohol or other
drugs during the critical time of their growth.
Thank you for your consideration of my concerns.
Sincerely,
Mila Vujovich-La Barre
650 Skyline Drive
San Luis Obispo, California 93405
milavu@hotmail.com
805-441-5818
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