Editorial: In Half Moon Bay: Yes on GG, no on other marijuana measures

So here we are. There are five measures on the ballot about recreational marijuana in Half Moon Bay and we side in favor a slow approach. We recommend a yes vote on Measure GG, and no votes on the others: AA, EE, SS and MM.

Measure GG will allow starter plants to be grown in existing greenhouses in zoned areas. This is a modest measure that will allow for supplemental income for the current farming industry. It will be heavily regulated, with proper security as required by law. Starter plants have no psychoactive drug components and will not be a draw for crime. There has been some suggestion that this is just the beginning, and that if this is allowed, it’s a matter of time before other commercial activity regarding marijuana is allowed. Maybe. But this is a good step to see how it goes.

Measure AA is a taxing mechanism. For cultivation, the annual rate would be $2 to $10 per square foot and 6 percent for retail, 2.5 percent for testing, 3 percent for distribution and 4 percent for manufacturing. This is also a matter of seeing how it goes. Taxing a percentage of retail makes sense, but not square footage until it is seen if the new industry can absorb it.

Measure EE would allow flowering, or mature, plants in greenhouses. Measure SS would allow for two retail locations. Measure MM would allow for manufacturing. These three are advisory measures to the City Council so it’s a way for the city to take a snapshot of the community’s feelings on these options. With that in mind, we recommend voting with what you feel is best. However, we suggest these are too aggressive considering the overall community concern.

Legalized recreational marijuana is a new industry for California and we as a collective people have yet to see how it will manifest and what issues will arise. The benefit of legalization for most has been decriminalization and the promise of the end of the illegal industry’s severe environmental impact. How the rest unfolds is still undetermined. There can be modest approaches with government oversight that will likely have minimum impact. In Half Moon Bay, it appears that Measure GG is such an approach. It deserves your support.