It’s hard to change. And people get upset when things change too much or too quickly, because it goes against their idea of what’s right. That’s why when new legislation comes through, you can often find several people upset about it.
Take for instance the Santa Maria City Council’s recent extension of a moratorium prohibiting cannabis cultivation or distribution in the city, despite the fact that residents of the state legalized recreational use for adults 21 years and older.
And don’t even think about trying to open-a-brick and mortar dispensary! Even through the years following the Compassionate Use Act, Santa Maria’s City Council wasn’t all that compassionate to local cannabis users. Local residents had to rely on delivery-only dispensaries, and couldn’t even cultivate medical marijuana at home.
Well, they’ve been resisting change—it’s only natural. County Sheriff Bill Brown made his opinion on Proposition 64 public just before the election, citing a number of reasons why recreational cannabis use should remain illegal in the state. It’s fine to disagree with a certain change, but when the state’s voters decide that change, it’s time to get on board, whether you’re city government or law enforcement.
Santa Maria isn’t alone in shunning recreational cannabis businesses and users. The Buellton City Council voted unanimously to place a moratorium as well. The Lompoc City Council has considered resolutions to regulate the number of plants residents can grow, but their interpretation may butt up against Proposition 64.
It’s understandable why the councils want to have a bit of time before they start handing out business permits. They’re covering their butts! They don’t want to approve anything that will cause trouble with the feds. It’s worth noting though, they are delaying what many see as the next billion-dollar industry.
But at the same time, trying to restrict private citizens’ rights to cultivate and use the plant flies in the face of the democratic process we have set up. The law is the law, and cities need to follow it, no matter how new or foreign the concepts are.
But, I get it. Many who stand up against legislation believe they are righteous in doing so. Take the judges standing against President Donald Trump right now over his executive order banning immigrants and refugees from a handful of Middle Eastern countries. The order appears to go against the Constitution, according to these judges, and so they’re standing up.
Our democracy can be messy. Whether we’re talking about states’ rights, the courts, or the Constitution, much of it is based on politicians, legislators, lawyers, and judges arguing for hours on end. The fight has begun for Mr. Trump, who is probably going to face a considerable amount of opposition.
Local city councils should take note too, that if they don’t establish systems to allow for legal recreational marijuana industry, retail, and cultivation, they’ll probably hear from some lawyers. Potheads are just like anyone else, they’ll fight for their rights.
While it may be a good way to structure government, we can only hope that this adversarial nature doesn’t seep out into the greater culture. That would create a real cultural divide, wouldn’t it?
The Canary isn’t trying to cultivate anything other than ideas. Send your thoughts to canary@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Feb 2-9, 2017.