CANNABIS INDUSTRY AND RELATED ISSUES

Cliff’s position on Cannabis, Industry and Issues:

Dr. Terry McAteer and Cliff Newell discuss Cannabis.

With the passage of Proposition 64, legal marijuana became a fact of life and the letter of the law.  Now that cannabis is a legal product, it will be regulated at both the state and local level, just like any other commercial product. Cannabis should also be taxed fairly and commensurate with its level of impact on the community. Legal cannabis businesses that operate within the parameters of the law will be allowed to operate without interference.  

However, illegal operations, or individuals who violate the law, should be held accountable, for both the good of the community as a whole, as well as the legitimate cannabis businesses who would be harmed by these offenders. Responsible regulation and enforcement of the law is critical to the successful integration of cannabis into our local economy.

In order to ensure public safety and fair treatment for all, we must have reasonable land use regulation, and consistent enforcement for violations of both laws and regulations.   

We must also be vigilant to ensure environmental protections, focusing on those seeking an advantage by not following the local requirements, regulations and state law. As with any legally regulated product, those individuals who skirt the law, to the disadvantage of the legitimate business people in the community, will be held accountable.

Most importantly, from a public safety perspective, violent offenders who come to our community to target cannabis-related businesses are a real threat to all citizens of our community, and it will remain a priority of my office to severely prosecute those offenders. The primary mandate of the District Attorney’s Office is the safety and well-being of the community, the whole community, and I will continue to abide by this mandate as our community adjusts to this change in the law.