Going where the money and paraphernalia is
On January 31, 2021 at approximately 7:52 p.m., Monterey Police Officers were dispatched to 484 Lighthouse (Smoke Shop) regarding an armed robbery.
On investigation, MPD officers learned that the suspects posed as potential customers when they entered the business. Suspect #1 pointed a black semi automatic handgun at the clerk and demanded money. The suspects stole cash and merchandise
Maybe the mayor needs to be in the city managers real hometown to know what’s going on.
“I was not aware that Ben Harvey was contacting cannabis companies in July,” Peake said. “I was surprised because there was no interest in a cannabis store shown by the council.”
Harvey said Monday there was absolutely nothing inappropriate about his conversations and meetings with Apothecarium, and that to do so is part of his job as a type of ombudsman between elected officials and business projects.
“Part of my job is to deal with prospective businesses,” Harvey said. “I routinely meet with people interested in starting a business here, whether it’s a retailer, restaurant, brewpub or a cannabis dispensary.”
Another criticism of Harvey is that he allowed the one company, Apothecarium, to help draft the ordinance that would then be presented to the council on Sept. 2. Harvey argued there is nothing out of the ordinary in doing this. And he is right in that industry helps draft legislation in Sacramento regularly.
Pot store coming to P.G.
Got some useless school administrators all excited. Take it from a PG student from the 70s – weed is easy for kids to get. And cheaper on the street.
Ralph Porras, the superintendent of the school district, in an email Thursday elaborated on his and the board’s fears of the’s city decision. His first concern is a cannabis store will increase the availability of marijuana.
“Access to drugs and the deleterious effects they already have on students throughout the nation, and especially in the Peninsula, is well documented and has had the attention of educators for many years,” he wrote. “The challenges to address these current problems are already very great and have a tremendous impact on the school community.”
Sunset Sinsemilla? Grove Ganja? Caledonia Cannabis? Butterfly Bhang?
So it’s proven that children have easy access to alcohol. And it’s been “hugely detrimental”. I think the problem is the same – no enforcement of keeping kids away from drugs.
But Peake told The Pine Cone last week that the idea of allowing a marijuana outlet is now off the table. “Cannabis is not on council’s near-term agenda,” he said. “There wasn’t any appetite to move forward.” Peake was referring in part to concerns from the Pacific Grove Unified School District and residents. Pacific Grove Unified superintendent Ralph Porras, who worked in Santa Cruz schools for 18 years, said the availability of marijuana there was “hugely detrimental”to students.
High taxes and overregulation are a big buzzkill.
A bill was introduced Monday in the California legislature that would give legal cannabis businesses a tax break to help them thrive and better compete with the underground market.
In a release announcing the proposed bill, state officials said cannabis taxes can eventually generate $8 to $20 billion in annual revenue for California. The current taxes imposed on the state’s cannabis industry were part of Proposition 64, the adult-use legalization measure passed by California voters in November 2016.
California started selling legal marijuana last year, but some observers have blamed the aggressive state tax rates and overregulation for continuing underground pot sales.
A very high probability of crime.
An unlicensed marijuana distribution business located on Harris Court in Monterey was robbed at gunpoint in early October, according to a press release from the Monterey Police Department.
On Oct. 5 at about 11:15 p.m., Monterey police officers were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery at Universal Sanctuary. Employees reported three male thieves wearing masks and armed with handguns entered the warehouse where deliveries were conducted and stole marijuana, cash and other items before fleeing. The suspects fled in an unknown direction and were not located. Each suspect was described as wearing dark clothing and a black ski mask with yellow trim. There were no reported injuries.
Enforce the use of MJ or enforce the tax collection or enforce the wha, what I forget. Let’s see if the cannabis taxes can cover those millions.
Supervisor Jon Phillips noted the cannabis program had initially asked for more than $10 million, then cut the request to $7.4 million before settling at $2.7 million during a tough 2018-19 budget year. It was known that the assigned funding might need to be adjusted based on demonstrated program need. Phillips said it’s still possible the program might need even more funding in the future.
At the same time, Supervisors Jane Parker and Mary Adams said they were concerned about devoting more money to the cannabis program after the community had made it clear during county-sponsored forums earlier in the year that its priorities lay elsewhere, including early childhood education and health initiatives rather than public safety.
Looks like it will be less than promised.
In a split vote Tuesday, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors cut marijuana businesses’ tax rates, in some cases by two thirds, said Luis Alejo, the board’s chairman.
Greenhouse growers, who had been staring at a $15-per-square-foot tax, will instead pay $5 per square foot while indoor cultivators will pay $8 a square foot, he said.
Can still grow your own and not have to deal with storefronts with guards or crime associated already with medical dispensaries.
Noting the difference that medical marijuana had made in her life, Karen Owen asked council members what would be served by banning the delivery of cannabis to the city.
“I’m sad to not see the tax dollars coming here to P.G.,” said Owen.
“I remember within 1,000 feet there was not a liquor store in P.G.,” said Owen, noting that it often found its way across the border of Monterey. “It’s the same situation now.”
“Why is Pacific Grove throwing away foot traffic, business and tax revenue for something that is going to be legal and never illegal again?” asked Chris Mitchell, who also spoke publicly before the council.
Former mayor Carmelita Garcia said background checks should be required for those growing pot plants.
Like Pacific Grove, Carmel, Monterey, Sand City and Soledad currently prohibit commercial cannabis activity.
