HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.02.21 Council Meeting Public Comments from D Crutchfield P►��r� c��.�,� Z�z<<�
tiello Mayor Barajas and fellow P�sco City Council Members,
My name is Dana Crutchfieid . I submit this to you in support of item 12a (rescission of
resolution to approv� retail cannabis in the City of Pasco) .
1 have been a Pasco resident for most of my life. t am an RN with many yrs of experience
vvorking in the Emergency Dept. f have also worked with a Franklin Co Deputy Coroner. ! have
seen the damage drug use causes. The modern strains�f marijuana have THC content 3x that
of 20 yrs ago .Young peopte are the most vulnerable to life long mental health consequences(
ie schizophrenia ) due to this high-potency THC which triggers chemical chan�es within the
brain—esp prior to full brain development at approx. 25 yrs. of age. (This dat� is supported by
research done at WSU and U of W.) I will not include additional data re the negative effects of
cannabis use that I believe you already have.
The labeling on many of these products is enticing to children/teens . There has been a steep
rise in cannabis poisonin�among children who accidentally consumed marijuana laced
products and then required emergency treatment for psychotic symptoms and more. (Vlr
IVl�rgan`s Spokane Lucky Leaf pot shop advertises : "Thin mints and Sunset Sherbert, Lerr�on
Shortbread , Buttafingaz. Candy concentrates that wifl melf your face off and Creme de Paypaya
that will have you wrecked ."
Retai9 cannabis shops have a 21 yr age restriction in order to purchase products, however,this
does noi m�an that the items purchased will not reach the hands of others .
Mr Morgan proposed a cannabis business in Pasco in 2014. In 2015, despite Pasco's ban on
retaii rr�arijuana, he opened his pot shop without a business license . He cla6rns his business will
"revitaiize dawntown, foot trafFic and hamelessness will decrease "Such baseless claims are an.
insult to the ir�telligence af the Pasco community. In lune 2022 a member of the Spokane
�usiness and Corrimercia6 Property Owner Council stated "in addition to violent crime,
varodalism and burglary have skyrocketed—esp. in downtown Spokane "
Numerous coo�nmunity agency representatives have exp�essed their opposition to marojuana
sales in our city; I am not aware of a single publie agency that has expressed support for
cannabis sales in Pasco. Kennewick, Richland and Franklin Co. do not allarnr retail cannabis;
Pasco citizens deserve the same commitment. A recent community survey( a very smatl
sample of Pasco voters ) indicated a sp{it among Pasco residents on this topic. Because this
issue remains so divided it would seem best left to a vote�f the people.The only time the
Pasco corrmunity had an opportun6ty t�vo#e�n this issue over 6(�%said h10.
9
- In 2�18 pasco committed 40.dnillion dollars tornrards revitalization af downtown Pasco .The
industrial area is an important part of Pasco alsa . lNhy should the city take a step backvvard
from those visions and actions?
The gentleman from Creen to Go who spoke at a recent counciP mtg. on this topic stated that
"marijuana made Steve Lee a millionaire and there is more to be made in Pasco." His cornment
candidty addresses whom will benefit from this 6usiness—its owner! The public$ spent on
dealing with the fallout of allowing retail drug sales in our community will far exceed the
revenue i# may generate . Please continue the ban on retail cannabis.
Sincerely your5,
Dana Crutchfield