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We are members of the Santa Cruz County Friday Night Live Partnership Youth Council and we are concerned about proposed amendments to local cannabis policy to allow onsite cannabis consumption at lounges and farms. We are specifically worried about impaired driving, youth access and exposure, gaps in compliance and normalization of cannabis use leading to a reduced perception of harm among youth. Farm stands raise more concerns as youth may see buying cannabis as normal as purchasing strawberries, honey and other non-age-restricted produce.  

Getting a drivers license is an honored right of passage toward independence and we need our policymakers to ensure our roads are safe. Onsite consumption of cannabis can impair driving. In 2022, Santa Cruz County saw more than 1,600 DUI arrests. The California Office of Traffic Safety states that people who drive immediately after using cannabis may increase their risk of getting into a crash by 25% to 35%. The method of use – if cannabis is smoked or ingested – can delay effects.

Impaired driving also impacts passengers. According to the 2012-2023 California Healthy Kids Survey, 30% of seventh grade students in Santa Cruz County have been in a car driven by someone who had been using substances.

The risk is too high for our friends and peers.

Local policies can reduce impaired driving and potential harm to youth by requiring training for those who dispense cannabis in recognizing impairment. Training servers to recognize customer intoxication and impairment in the lounge and ensuring law enforcement officers are trained in drug recognition expert training and oral swab testing are a few ways to reduce impaired driving. Businesses promoting ride share and sober driver options to consumers onsite and through social media campaigns may also prevent impaired driving.

If you are concerned like we are, consider speaking during public comment during Tuesday’s Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting or emailing representatives at BoardOfSupervisors@santacruzcountyca.gov.

SCCFNLP Youth Council

Santa Cruz