Neighbor News
Somerville Considering Cannabis Dens and Cannabis Promotional Events
Business licenses for marijuana "Social Consumption Sites" and "Temporary Consumption Events" are under consideration
Letter to the Editor:
Somerville and other Massachusetts cities are now considering licensing cannabis dens (euphemistically called "Social Consumption Sites") and cannabis promotional events ("Temporary
Consumption Events"), such as live music events. These licenses would allow customers to buy and consume cannabis on licensed business premises.
People can already use cannabis in the privacy of their own homes. Cities should not encourage further spread of cannabis use and its associated harms and addiction by adding these licenses.
Find out what's happening in Somervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
1. Cannabis use spreads through social exposure. These licenses will only increase its social exposure -- both among adults and kids. Teens and young adults are especially susceptible to social influences. Medical science shows that cannabis use at that age causes permanent brain
changes.
2. Cannabis dens will especially attract addicted users who cannot wait to get home before getting high. The CDC estimates that 30% of cannabis users are addicted. Cities should not aid or abet
cannabis addiction.
Find out what's happening in Somervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
3. When users get high at a cannabis den or event, how will they get home? Many will drive -- "operating under the influence" (OUI). This situation is very different than it is for alcohol:
- We have blood alcohol content standards for drunk driving -- but NOT for cannabis.
- We have breathalyzers for alcohol -- but NOT for cannabis.
- We have guidelines for how many alcoholic drinks are unsafe for driving -- but NOT for cannabis.
4. This licensing proposal includes a "social equity" component that gives preference to historically disadvantaged groups. It is a galling attempt to put a veneer of social acceptability on an industry that is anything but socially responsible, and it stinks. Like Big Tobacco, their goal is purely profit -- NOT our community's well being.
Somerville should reject these new cannabis license types. We already have enough drug problems. We don't need more. Please contact your City Council members.
David Booth, aka Sparkle's Dad
Somerville, MA
