Pubdate: Wed, 03 Feb 2016
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2016 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Michael Caruso
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n044/a12.html

DESTIGMATIZE POT

Regarding "Pot growers face crop of local bans" ( Jan. 24): I was 
dismayed after reading that due to a mistake made by the California 
Legislature, pot growers face a crop of local bans across the state. 
Why a rush to ban? San Francisco has seen the numerous benefits of 
the cannabis business on the local economy, including more jobs, less 
crime, and increases in philanthropic contributions and community 
engagement from a new and burgeoning industry. The new Marijuana Task 
Force should take to heart the positive reality: that the over 25 
dispensaries and legal cultivation sites in the city provide a 
valuable economic benefit. They allow the city economy to be 
diversified and not solely reliant on the tech industry for economic 
gains. I'm pleased that San Francisco will not be banning any 
cannabis, and encourage the Marijuana Task Force to consider the full 
spectrum of the cannabis economy and the best ways to create more 
jobs and opportunities in this growing cannabis economy.

Michael Caruso, San Francisco
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom