Corporate Cannabis Monopoly Threat: San Francisco’s Ban on New Dispensary Applications
A corporate cannabis monopoly is looming in San Francisco as the Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a ban on new cannabis permits. The move, championed by Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, a 2024 mayoral candidate, has sparked major concerns regarding the city’s cannabis market’s future.
The Proposed Ban and Its Implications
On June 6th, 2023, the Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to halt all new cannabis permits in San Francisco, a decision that would affect medical cannabis outlets, equity applicants, and micro-businesses alike. If passed, the ban would be permanent, with no expiration date, creating an illegal monopoly and presenting an undue barrier to the city’s thriving cannabis culture. Despite the potential for negative consequences, Safaí has urged City Hall to focus on processing existing equity applications, which suggests a disregard for the overall health of the market.
Impact on Legacy Stakeholders and Equity Applicants
This ban threatens the progress San Francisco has made since becoming a sanctuary city for medical cannabis in 2001. The move risks ostracizing legacy cannabis stakeholders who helped build the city’s permitting process in 2004/5 and could place a continued halt on reseating these important players. Additionally, the ban would create significant barriers for equity applicants who are crucial to the diversity and competitiveness of the cannabis industry.
Concerns for Small Farmers and Compassionate Care
One often overlooked consequence of this ban is its potential impact on California’s small farmers, who are already experiencing a market extinction event. These farmers rely on legal outlets to sell their product, and without new permits, their future looks increasingly bleak. Moreover, the city’s decision disregards the advice of the Medical Cannabis Taskforce of 2011/13, which recommended opening cannabis harm reduction centers and creating compassion distribution systems for the city’s disabled, veterans, and low-income families.
Political Interests and the Community Backlash
Safaí’s push for the ban aligns with his political interests as he attempts to appeal to the Chinese American community, a key voter base in his upcoming mayoral campaign against incumbent London Breed. Many in this community have long protested the cannabis industry in the city, which might explain Safaí’s sudden change of stance, despite previously voting for a cannabis dispensary in the Sunset District.
In light of this, the community’s reaction to the proposed ban has been a mixed bag. Some applaud the move as a necessary measure for public safety, while others, like Shona Gochenaur, who ran Axis of Love, vehemently oppose it, arguing that it will not only stifle competition but also fail to address the current issues plaguing the city’s cannabis market. Gochenaur has started a petition on Change.org titled “Stop the ban of new medical cannabis and equity permits in SF” in a bid to challenge this move.
Conclusion: The Dire Need for A Rethink
The proposed ban makes little sense from both an economic and ethical standpoint. By suppressing competition, it threatens to devastate San Francisco’s cannabis market and limit patient access to vital medical cannabis services. As the vote draws near, it’s time for a thorough reassessment of this proposal and its wider implications to prevent the emergence of a corporate cannabis monopoly.
By adopting policies that promote competition and inclusivity, San Francisco can continue to thrive as a sanctuary for cannabis and avoid the legal and ethical dilemmas that arise from monopolistic practices. The city’s decision will not only shape its own cannabis landscape but could also set a precedent for other cities across the nation. It is a high-stakes moment that demands careful thought, community engagement, and a firm commitment to fairness in the marketplace.
