HomeMy WebLinkAboutSouza (Cannabis) 3-29-20181
Tonikian, Victoria
From:Megan Souza <
Sent:Thursday, March 29, 2018 9:05 PM
To:Advisory Bodies
Hello, Planning Commission Staff :)
I'm emailing to address agenda item 1 for Thursday, March 29, 2018th's meeting.
Firstly, location. Location will be a factor in the evaluation of brick'n'mortar dispensary applications. What if dispensary
applicants were evaluated and ranked before applicants had a dispensary location selected? This would ensure that the
best operators are chosen, rather than the operators most lucky/underhanded in securing real estate. Other localities
have gone this route, giving approved operators 90 or 120 days to find a location which meets ordinance requirements.
Secondly, education. Our community desperately needs a Cannabis Resource Center. As a SLO County‐based medical
cannabis delivery service operator, I receive far more emails and phone calls from SLO County citizens with questions
about cannabis use and current cannabis regulation than I could ever respond to. Because of this, we host regular
educational seminars for the public but we can only reach so many people in this format. Our community needs a venue
citizens can visit in person to have their questions and concerns about safe and legal cannabis use answered. Before
January 1st, we were able to bring samples of all our products to patients' homes and consult with patients to help them
choose what product would best meet their needs. Since January 1st, State law requires that cannabis delivery services
receive patient orders in advance of delivery over the phone or electronically. This means that patients don't have a
clear understanding of available products in advance of their purchase‐‐especially those who are not computer literate.
Judging by Plannnig Commission Staff comments, it seems like y'all think Cal Poly students make up a majority of SLO
City cannabis users‐‐‐not so. Over 75% of our nearly 3,000 Countywide active registered patients are over 55 years old.
Many of our customers do not use the internet so the only information they receive prior to purchase is a verbal
description over the phone. Perhaps a public+private partnership could be arranged wherein the City provides a location
and industry stakeholders provide volunteer educators?
Thank you for taking the time to read this email,
Megan Souza
CEO Megan's Organic Market
(805)709‐0662