Despite school officials’ opposition, state Sen. John Laird supports the creation of a cannabis dispensary at the former Emily’s Bakery in Santa Cruz. In a Community Voices opinion piece, he outlines his reasoning and his historical connection to some of the partners in the project.
cannabis
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California passed a law to stop ‘pay to play’ in local politics. After two years, legislators want to gut it
A 2022 law limits campaign contributions to $250 to local elected officials from a donor with a license, building permit or other proceeding before the officials. Now there’s a bill to raise the limit to $1,000 and loosen other restrictions.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Keeley’s cannabis pause falls flat with Santa Cruz City Council, business community
With an eye on the upcoming Hook Outlet hearing, Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley wanted to pause all cannabis permitting decisions for 45 days so officials could reassess city policies. Santa Cruz cannabis operators and city councilmembers said the move was the wrong approach.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Big week in Santa Cruz County politics: E-bikes, West Cliff, cannabis and coastal property sale
Budgets, a vision for a one-way West Cliff Drive, a cannabis moratorium and e-bike restrictions: Political leaders at multiple levels of government in Santa Cruz County have their hands full this week.
Posted inLatest News
Keeley proposes moratorium on new cannabis businesses in Santa Cruz amid Hook Outlet debate
On Tuesday, Mayor Fred Keeley will ask the city council to adopt a temporary emergency ordinance that would impose at least a 45-day moratorium on the establishment of new commercial cannabis businesses in the city of Santa Cruz. Keeley said the moratorium will give the city a chance to “step back” and study its existing cannabis laws around everything from dispensary distance from schools, tax rates and delivery laws, to security and licensure.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
My new Santa Cruz dispensary will not endanger kids; it meets all laws, and prioritizes community and responsible cannabis use
Bryce Berryessa, who is trying to open a cannabis dispensary in Santa Cruz at Mission and Laurel streets, pushes back against school administrators trying to block his business from opening because it is close to schools. He says he has complied with all laws, has worked to open for more than a year and has been considerate of school requests about signage. “It is disingenuous of school board members to say they support legal cannabis while actively and aggressively advocating for a policy that would put us out of business,” he writes.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Westside dispensary moves forward, local companies named top green tech businesses, search for new Open Studios leader
In this week’s roundup of Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on a cannabis dispensary proposed for the former Emily’s Bakery location, local companies making a green tech splash and other notes, numbers and events.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Applying robotics to cannabis cultivation, seeking soda ambassadors and one entrepreneur’s permitting odyssey
Jessica M. Pasko looks at the Agriculture 4.0 approach for Scotts Valley’s Neatleaf, highlights a unique job opportunity and rounds up other news, notes and numbers from Santa Cruz County business.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Scotts Valley’s Neatleaf bets on AI and analytics in ag, starting with cannabis cultivation
With a farming robot that can be used in controlled environments like greenhouses to monitor and analyze individual plants, Santa Cruz’s Elmar Mair and Neatleaf are on the cutting edge of Agriculture 4.0.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Cannabis dispensaries don’t belong near schools: We are Santa Cruz’s educational leaders and we are worried for our kids
Kris Munro, Santa Cruz City Schools superintendent, and Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County superintendent of schools, believe a proposal to put a cannabis dispensary close to local schools is a mistake and could be detrimental to students’ health and safety. They urge city planning commissioners to reject the proposal Thursday and they urge city leaders to “reevaluate current zoning regulations and expand designated areas where dispensaries are prohibited near schools.”