Health Policy Proposals Concerning Cannabis Use and Cultivation- Letter to BOS
August 20, 2024
Aug 20, 2024 8:30AM
To David.Rabbitt, susan.gorin, chris.coursey, james.gore, lynda.hopkins,
Dear Supervisors:
The Neighborhood Coalition advocates for sustainable, environmentally sound, and neighborhood-compatible cannabis policies in Sonoma County in conjunction with public education on the health impacts of cannabis use and cultivation.
Our proposals in the attached 14-page document focus on health issues associated with cannabis use and cultivation, and how the Board of Supervisors can protect the public from these dangers.
Our goal is to bring awareness and solutions to the supervisors before the amendments to the Cannabis Health Ordinance come before the Board on November 12, 2024, and amendments to the land use ordinance are addressed in 2025. The main body of this report provides detailed scientific bases for these proposals:
1. Amend the County’s Secondhand Smoke Ordinance to ban cannabis and hemp smoking or vaping in the areas already defined by the ordinance.
2. Amend the County’s Cannabis Land Use Ordinance (No. 6240) to
· Require specific health warnings on cannabis products sold in Sonoma County and on signs in dispensaries.
· Ban the cultivation, manufacture, and sale of cannabis or cannabis products above 25% THC.
· Require cannabis edibles be packaged in containers inaccessible to children and devoid of advertising and packaging that might attract children.
· Ban the manufacture or sale of Delta-8 THC in Sonoma County.
· Prohibit cannabis sales except in commercial areas with appropriate security.
· Prohibit cannabis consumption in rural areas.
· Make a finding that humans should not be exposed to the carcinogen Beta-Myrcene in their homes, yards, or businesses.
· Limit cannabis cultivation to indoor facilities with ventilation systems that will remove all Beta-Myrcene and require protections for workers within those contained areas.
3. Endorse AB 2223 to ban the manufacture or sale of Delta-8 THC in California.
4. Undertake a pro-active, multi-faceted campaign to educate the public about:
· The risks and dangers relating to cannabis smoking, vaping, and ingestion, targeting parents and youth.
· The risks and dangers to mental health of cannabis use in all its forms.
· Prenatal and epigenetic dangers and health risks of cannabis consumption, targeting women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant about.
· Cardiovascular and other health risks to all users, particularly seniors.
· The dangers of driving under the influence and promote DUI testing for cannabis.
Thank you for your consideration of these issues.
Neighborhood Coalition
Brantly Richardson, Communications Director
SonomaNeighborhoodCoalition@gmail.com