By Katherine Mueller
Executive Opinion Editor
Twenty-five years ago, California became the first state to legalize the use and sale of medical marijuana. Since then, states across America have become increasingly more liberal with cannabis legalization and sales, with Manhattan Beach now facing increasing pressures to do the same. Yet, legal cannabis sales in Manhattan Beach would be costly in both monetary, social and cultural spheres.
Currently, 18 out of 50 states currently permit the recreational use of marijuana, including the state of California and Manhattan Beach. The petition to open cannabis dispensaries in Manhattan Beach would amend the code that prevents the sale of commercial cannabis, allowing the sale of cannabis only in particular areas, according to the Economic Reform and Development Coalition of Southern California. Within the city of Manhattan Beach, only three marijuana dispensaries would be permitted to function, and the council of Manhattan Beach would be the body determining the creation and distribution of the product.
Though the South Bay’s beach cities may have more of a laid back culture, they are not an appropriate place for the sale of marijuana. According to MB.gov, Cannabis cannot be smoked anywhere in the city except for private homes and residences. The culture and society sustained in the South Bay is one that is entirely welcoming to all ages, and despite the presence of a few liquor shops, has no substantial propagation of substance usage. The implementation of marijuana dispensaries and more open recreational usage is something that may re-stitch the fabric of Beach Cities’ culture, as the new dispensaries could encourage more frequent, open usage of marijuana.
Implementing a marijuana dispensary in California is hard enough, but in the Beach Cities, the challenge to do so would be an entirely different monster. According to Covasoftware, an investment up-front to simply open a dispensary in the state of California ranges from $80,000 to $250,000. Combined with ridiculously costly real estate in the Beach Cities, cannabis sold at dispensaries could be priced much higher, encouraging many to find business elsewhere, leading dispensaries in Manhattan Beach to possibly be less profitable than expected.
Having cannabis dispensaries in Manhattan Beach may make it easier for teens to come into contact with the drug. It is an oftentimes unspoken fact that teens in the Beach Cities have relatively easy access to drugs, many of which can be obtained simply through social connections, as seen in the nicotine crisis overtaking schools across America. According to MB.gov, the sale of cannabis is banned within 1,000 feet of a school, which effectively does nothing to discourage usage in teens.
Still, there is indeed a demand for marijuana in the Beach Cities, due to the passing of the initial petition in the first place. Yet, the true question of necessity comes into play considering the fact that copious amounts of dispensaries are accessible to those 21 and older just 20 miles away in Los Angeles. The purpose of marijuana dispensaries is traditionally more for medical reasons rather than recreational uses, according to Harvard Health. While this may be true, Manhattan Beach is filled with schools filled with curious minors, and where the incentive for the access of drugs is likely more for entertainment use than medical use.
Recreational usage of cannabis in Manhattan Beach has little reason to be prohibited, just as the recreational sale of cannabis has little reason to be permitted. If marijuana regulations in the Beach Cities remain how they are now, beach life and culture will continue to remain at the highest standard.
Leave a Reply