Cannabis ballot measure

Co-founder of Safeguard Santa Paula presented over 1,400 signatures against retail marijuana and cited youth health impacts from THC.

Cited peer-reviewed research linking retail cannabis availability to teen marijuana use and psychotic disorders.

Argued the staff report lacked financial justification and worried about a dispensary zoned near her family-dense neighborhood.

Shared the story of her son Andrew, whose marijuana dependency in middle school led to addiction, crime, and his unsolved death.

A local professor warned that visible dispensaries normalize marijuana use for youth.

A 30-year resident warned about toxic pesticides in illegal marijuana and said retail stores normalize use for youth.

Speaking through an interpreter, reported young people consuming cannabis gummies for peer acceptance.

Collected signatures against marijuana retail and said the change isn't needed in a family-oriented town.

An 11-year-old student urged the council to think about kids, citing research that teen use rises in cities with dispensaries.

Described feeling unsafe walking past an armed guard at a Port Hueneme dispensary and opposed exposure of local youth.

Argued that allowing retail marijuana would make Santa Paula less attractive to families and businesses, noting most California cities ban it.

Fifth-generation resident supporting the measure; said cannabis is already delivered locally and the city can't afford to walk away from up to $600,000 a year.

Former mayor and homeless-services director urged the council to keep the ban, linking marijuana to addiction among homeless guests and her daughter's death.

Questioned why the process felt rushed and asked for a cost-benefit analysis before any spending.

Spoke for the Ministerial Association, saying government's main job is protecting citizens and revenue isn't worth endangering kids.

Asked the council not to send a mixed message to youth; said no survey or ballot is needed — just uphold the ban.

Supported the measure, arguing regulated dispensaries are safe businesses that generate tax revenue and that residents deserve a voice.

A high school sophomore presented statistics on teen marijuana use and mental health risks.

A 13-year-old eighth grader argued legalization increases access and asked the council to keep the community drug-free.

A medical-office worker since 1991 said patients already have access via delivery and the town doesn't need retail sales.

A mother of 12-13 years said money arguments aren't worth it and suggested pursuing hotel taxes instead.

Recounted a home burglary by drug addicts and warned against putting the city's stamp of approval on the drug industry.

Asked what has changed since the council kept the ban seven years ago, and urged support for a recovery-friendly community.

A local educator said citizens already made clear they don't want pot stores and objected to spending roughly $100,000 to push the measure.

Described break-ins and a shooting near a dispensary in his former neighborhood, and questioned GrassrootsLab's cannabis-industry ties.

Called the idea insane, cited her brother's death from fentanyl after marijuana use, and suggested council drug testing.

Collected 800+ signatures against retail marijuana seven years ago; questioned who benefits and urged tighter enforcement of existing drug dealing.

A cannabis-licensing professional who pushed back on what she called misinformation, noting strict age verification and discreet operations.

Argued a third of dispensary profits come from heavy, addicted users, making the tax revenue ethically tainted.

Councilmember Chavez, an immigration lawyer, spoke during public comment saying marijuana is the most dangerous thing for his undocumented clients — one admitted use can bar a green card forever.

Spoke with her family, saying setting a legal standard for adults sends a harmful message to youth, and opposed compromising for revenue.

A 73-year resident who supported the ballot path, calling a public election the fairest way to settle the issue.

Said nothing has changed since seven years ago, cited crime near dispensaries, and urged a moratorium rather than spending on consultants.

Criticized the opposition as fear-driven, comparing it to Reefer Madness, and urged putting the question to voters.

Recounted a violent carjacking tied to an Ojai dispensary and opposed bringing retail marijuana to a town his kids and grandkids love.

An AI engineer who argued regulated dispensaries are safer than the illegal market and revenue could fund youth programs.

Shared his own teenage addiction that started when dispensaries opened nearby, and asked the council not to repeat that for the next generation.

A longtime business owner who grew up around drugs and crime said drugs are already available everywhere and he doesn't fear dispensaries — but he doesn't support them either.

Joe Hidley's friend and a 15-year former resident who spoke of his own marijuana addiction and urged the council to keep it out of town.