MINUTES
Friday, October 21, 2011, 9:30 a.m.
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 400
San Francisco, California
1. Call to order and roll call
The meeting was called to order by Task Force chair, Sarah Shrader, at 9:35 a.m.
Present:
Sarah Shrader-- Chair
Martin Olive – Vice Chair
Erich Pearson Maureen Burns
Stewart Rhoads
Stephanie Tucker Shona Gochenaur
Raymond Gamley
2. Approval of Minutes of September 28th, 2011 meeting
No public comments were made. Minutes of September 28th, 2011 meeting was approved.
3. Approval of Agenda for October 21, 2011 meeting
Discussion was held. No public comments were made. Agenda was approved.
4. General Public Comments
General public comments were heard.
5. Federal Announcements & Letters to San Francisco Medical Cannabis Dispensary Landlords
Discussion of draft resolution to Board of Supervisors was held. Questions were asked and input was provided by Derek St. Pierre. Public comments were heard. Voted and approved to modify the draft resolution as follows (not in any particular order):
• Remove from the presented draft resolution, “Whereas” statements #3, #4, #7, #8, #10, #11, #12, and #19
• Incorporate “Whereas” statement #14’s reference that the Federal government had acknowledged medical cannabis policies from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development, into the resolution
• Remove from “Whereas” statement #16, the words “before 1978”
• Add statements from state and local officials, including Kamala Harris, Leland Yee, Tom Ammiano, & Mark Leno
• Mention Ogden memo
• Include pharmaceutical benefits including research and studies
• Emphasize reclassification, vs. rescheduling
• Focus the target audience as Melinda Haag
• Include and emphasize positive things San Francisco has done
• Mention San Francisco has mainly small to medium size dispensaries and they are tightly regulated through the Department of Public Health, including edibles and financials
• Add economic impact affecting jobs and tax revenue, local/state/federal – reference recent Forbes Magazine article, cost associated with fighting war on cannabis for medical use vs. revenue from regulation
• Include affects on veterans, San Francisco’s high rate of HIV patients
• Include Attorney General statement, union statement, sanctuary resolution SJR20
• Urge injunction or suspension of action, and for Melinda Haag to “come to the table” to talk
Discussion held on next steps and actions. The intent is for the resolution to be introduced on Tuesday by Supervisor Campos, as sponsor. Sarah Shrader will follow up with supervisors after the task force meeting.
6. Medical Cannabis Task Force Committee reports:
A. Legal/Legislative
Derek St. Pierre reported for the Legal/Legislative Committee. The October 7 meeting did not have quorum. The following resigned from the committee: Patrick Goggin, Michelle Aldrich, David Goldman, Christine Wagner. There are currently 11 members. The next meeting is scheduled for November 4, 2011.
B. Patient Advocacy
Shona Gochenhaur reported for the Patient Advocacy Committee. Writing group came up with “Whereas” statements. Chad Connors and Albert Blais resigned from the committee. Jae Sohn reinstated. The committee meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month in room 421, 4:00-6:00pm
C. Cultivation
Raymond Gamley, Stewart Rhoads, and Martin Olive reported out on the Cultivation Committee. There have been issues regarding quorum. Discussion was held on possibility of requesting implementation of cable tie analogous to Mendocino County. Raymond Gamley and Erich Pearson are resigning. The committee accepted the resignation of Kevin Reed. Cultivation Committees meets the 2nd Friday of each month.
D. Outreach
Stephanie Tucker reported that the committee did not meet.
E. Veterans
Maureen Burns reported that the committee did not make quorum at its last meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for October 24, 1:00-3:00pm, room 370. Want to get on the agenda for discussion of compassion program vs. discount program.
7. Review committee memberships and vote on new applications for all committees
Discussion held on open seats on committees. Motion was made to suspend the bylaws requiring odd number of seats. Public comment was heard, voted and approved to suspend the bylaws requiring odd number of seats on committees.
Announcement was made of candidates applying for committees. Public comments were heard. The following candidates were approved:
• John Gallo, Patient Advocacy
• Steven Crane, Patient Advocacy
• Kerrigan Logan, Veterans
• Steven Lyles, Veterans
• Billie Cooper, Veterans
• Tanesh Watson, Veterans
• Jae Sohn, Outreach
Raymond Gamley is resigning from the Legal/Legislative Committee. Sarah Shrader will join the “Respond to Public Request” committee. Stewart Rhoads will be chair of the Cultivation committee. Public comment was heard. Voted and approved.
8. Topics for consideration at future task force meetings
Suggestions for future meetings include:
• Review bylaws
• Compassionate care program for Medical Cannabis Dispensaries
• Presentation of the annual report
• Definition and clarity of compassionate care, discount programs
• Mandatory transparency with collectives (reference situation from Butte County)
9. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
Minutes taken by Carol Lei
