Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.08.03 Counil Mtg Handout from LaWanda HatchTo: Pasco City Council Members and the City Manager From: Concerned Citizens, via LaWanda Hatch Concerning: Approving More Cannabis/Marijuana Stores Dear Sirs, I am including with this letter, articles that are recorded in the Library of Congress of Peer Reviewed studies (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), other government and non governmental sources, as well as anecdotal articles of real life News Reports. have 3 asks with this evidence- ALL asks are to protect children and Families: 1) To NOT approve any more THC/Cannabis/Marijuana Retailers in Pasco 2) To stop the sales of THC products in packages and the treat itself that is made to look like children's candies and treats, through an ordinance. 3) To add an "Impact fee" sales tax that can be used to help with the medical costs of children who have been poisoned by THC, as well as the education of children and parents, starting in elementary school of the dangers of THC on the health and brain of a child. When the city of Pasco first approved these stores, to begin with, we were told it was only going to be 2 and now its 4 and now it may be 8. Yet there are no long lines, at the stores. There are more people who decorate their homes, yet we have no Home Goods Stores, or Hobby Lobby, and other craft stores in Pasco. What about a Children"s Museum? All we have are Walmart, Lowes, Restaurants, Car washes, marijuana stores and Walgreens. (We are excited about Ross, though.) ASK # 1) FIRST- The argument to add more is based on false statements. It has been stated that because it impacts Hispanic persons more that DEI (Marxism) requires that they get a piece of the action: Here is a link to the factual data: https://www.addictionhelp.com/marijuana/statistics/ Below HERE is the graph for 2026: Heion (xorn Addiction v Alcohol V Treatment Behavioral - Mental Health At Past -year use by race and ethnicity, 2022 (ages 12+) Share Multiracial 31.1 % American Indian or Alaska Native 27.3% Black 23.5% White 22.9% Hispanic 20.3% Asian 11.2% So if demographics is the criteria, then multi -racial and natives should be given a store too. How many stores will it take to fulfill the Marxist thinkers that demographics is more important than the impact to society? In fact, do we know the racial background of all the owners? THAT BEING SAID- THAT IS NOT WHAT THE SOCIAL EQUITY PLAN IS ABOUT FOR WASHINGTON STATE, AT ALL! It is about the area from where they lived for 5 years, between 1980 and 2010 in Washington State, being impoverished because you weren't allowed to A marijuana, an area of high unemployment, high rate of public assistance- So its for citizens who lived in an area of the state, where they had little opportunity, AND of minority status. Found in RCW 69.50.335 Section 6 (Minority as defined by RCW 39.19) They also have to submit a social equity plan. Here is the link to the plan by state law: Social Equity Plan I Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board HERE IS WHAT IT SAYS: In accordance with RCW 69.50.331 (12), all cannabis licensees may submit a Social Equity Plan to the Liquor and Cannabis Board to receive a one-time reimbursement of their annual license fee, per entity. The purpose of the Social Equity Plan is to address ways in which your licensed cannabis business will promote social equity. The social equity goals, defined in RCW 69.50.335, are intended to reduce accumulated harm suffered by individuals, families, and communities subjected to severe impacts from the historical application and enforcement of cannabis prohibition laws. The Social Equity Plan should address elements that promote social equity. The plan may include: • A statement that indicates how your licensed cannabis business will work to promote social equity in your community or communities most impacted by the war on drugs; • The demographic composition of the workforce your licensed cannabis business has employea or intends to hire; and/or • Business plans involving partnerships or assistance to organizations or residents with connections to populations with a history of high rates of enforcement of cannabis prohibition. Examples of what could be included in the Social Equity Plan: • A fruit and vegetable community garden in a disproportionately impacted area. • Working with non-profit organizations that find work for individuals incarcerated for drug -related crimes. • Hiring an individual(s) with prior cannabis offenses, convictions, or incarcerations. • School supply drive in a disproportionately impacted area. • Community beautification in disproportionately impacted areas. • A community project that aids and supports highly impacted areas or people. ASK # 2) The number of children and hospitalized due to "mistaken" ingestion, has risen by alarming numbers. Do we need a study to understand why? No children aren't ingesting dried marijuana leaves. They are eating Marijuana candies and treats that are flavored, look like, and are packaged like real candies and treats. Because city councils and commissioners have to write ordinances in states where its been legalized and have very little legislation governing it and it is still illegal federally, it has been the Libertarian dream of the Wild Wild West, but children are paying the price in several ways. However the treat question is an easy fix. Write an ordinance that makes all THC treats and candies to not be close in appearance of any candy, by color and shape, and restrict the packaging to all be green, Ivory, white with the clear word THC and a marijuana leaf on it in red to protect children. tow f� 0 Z W-W "v vx S'�H - Soo AR- c A 1, %b -union", I j vr IL BEA DATA FROM THE AFORE ARTICLE LINK: Kesults Patients aged 2-6 (96.3%) and 7-11 (82.4%) frequently incurred unintentional exposures, while patients aged 12-17 (79.9%) and 18--20 (77.5%) more often incurred intentional exposures. Medical cannabis dispensary openings were associated with a 52 3% increase (Cl 37.5-67.0; p < .001) in cannabis -related exposure rates in individuals aged 2-6. However, we found a 42.4% decrease (95% CI: -62.2 to -22.6; p < .001) in the number of exposures occurring per 100,000 population when recreational dispensaries opened, relative to states with only medical cannabis dispensaries open. While we did not find statistically significant increases among children aged 7-11 following medical cannabis dispensary openings, we did see a 26.6% (95% Cl. -45.1 to -8.1) decrease following recreational cannabis dispensary openings. We did not find statistically significant effects for other age groups. Conclusions Our findings indicate polir.�ymakers may need to invest in providing cannabis safety education when medical cannabis dispensaries open to avoid unintended exposures, though some of that effect appears to be mitigated by the time recreational dispensaries (eventually) open. Professionals that provide medical cannabis or provide care in medical cannabis states should consider providing education about how to safely use and store cannabis in the household to prevent cannabis -involved exposures. MORE ARTICLE LINKS: Pediatric Concerns Due to Expanded Cannabis Use: Unintended Consequences of Legalization - PMC Cannabis and the developing brain challenge risk perception - PMC Are THC Gummies Toxic to Kids? Mother Chars ed After Child Dies - Newsweek Saginaw woman mailed for giving THC gummies to her 3 children 'to calm them for personal time' - mlive.com Mom Sentenced After Pressuring Her Child to Eat THC Gummies and Drink Alcohol Mom charged in son's THC overdose death sentenced to 10 years I wusa9.com Teens supplied THC gummies linked to hospitalizations and overdose -like symptoms after Prosper graduation Party, warrants reveal - CBS Texas Government warns sellers of edible cannabis: Stop using packaging that mimics foods popular with kids I Consumer Advice The risks of cannabis gummies with fake sweet packaging Consumption of marijuana edibles surges among children: US study finds I The Straits Times Reports of young children accidentally eating marijuana edibles soar Mariivana Effects On Children I Children's Hospital Colorado ASK #3: That we obtain funds through an impact sales tax on THC to educate parents and children on the dangers of THC on their developing brains: Here is the link to a paper on why people and youth think THC is cool and safe: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1508119.pdf Here is a take away from that article: Studies indicate that the legalization of drugs, particularly marijuana, can lead to altered societal perceptions regarding their safety. As these substances become more accessible, individuals, especially adolescents, may view them as less harmful, which can influence their usage patterns. Impact of Drug Legalization on Perceptions of Safety The legalization of drugs has significant implications for public perception. • Changing perceptions — Legalization often reshapes societal norms, leading to increased acceptance of drug use. Adolescent exposure — As marijuana becomes legal, adolescents are more likely to perceive it as safe. Public health implications — Increased accessibility may lead to higher rates of use among young people. Comparative analysis — Historical data shows similar trends during the repeal of Prohibition, where alcohol became more socially accepted. Here is an article about the violent actions of a young man after a THC Binge: From child star to convicted killer: The chilling 'downward spiral' of Ryan Grantham I The Independent In fact, many school shooters were THC users: https://Pmc.ncbi.nIm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9462911/ FROM THAT ARTICLE: Countless studies have also linked chronic cannabis use to schizophrenia. A meta -analysis in January examining S91 studies concluded that early marijuana use among adolescents was associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing schizophrenia. Researchers have yet to prove a causal relationship, but the weight of evidence is hard to dismiss. Some legalization proponents claim that other countries where marijuana is widely available have fewer mental -health problems than the U.S. But a study from Denmark last summer found that schizophrenia cases associated with pot addiction have increased three- to fourfold over the past 20 years as marijuana potency rose 200%. Young people are especially vulnerable to cannabis's effects because their brains are still developing. Scientists in a recent study reviewed scans of teenagers' brains before and after they started using pot. They found that parts of the brain involved in decision making and morality judgments were altered in pot users compared to nonusers. IS THIS BECAUSE THE POTENCY HAS CHANGED? Here is the answer in the link and why: Weed In The 70's Vs Weed You Buy Today I Herb THE takeaway from the article: Potency 70s: How much THC did weed in the 70s have? Believe it or not, the average THC content in cannabis during the 1970s was around 1-3%. The main focus was more on the plant's natural growth and without much care about THC levels. Today: Strains these days contain up to 30% THC levels. Modern cannabis strains are specifically bred to max out on THC levels, mainly appeasing the "get as high as you possibly can" culture. Growing Methods 70s: Weed was mainly grown outdoors in the 70s since tech -savvy equipment wasn't around. As natural as this was, it also meant that the cannabis plant experienced all of Mother Nature's doings, which could impact the plant's quality. Today: Cannabis is mostly grown in controlled environments. These are able to control for factors like light, temperature, humidity, and nutrients to make sure your bud reaches its full potential. THIS IS WHY WE NEED A BETTER EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS!