Santa Cruz Cannabis Dispensary Faces Opposition Despite Community Support

The transition of Emily's Bakery, a Santa Cruz staple for 41 years, into The Hook Outlet, a cannabis dispensary in partnership with WAMM Phytotherapies, marks a significant shift in the local business landscape. This project, spearheaded by local entrepreneurs Bryce Berryessa and Kyle Giorchino, is designed with a focus on compassionate care and community engagement. Despite their intentions and compliance with all legal requirements, the dispensary's proximity to a school has ignited community concerns and opposition from the Santa Cruz City School Board.

Berryessa and Giorchino, who have established a reputation for their community-centric approach through their other dispensaries, are committed to continuing WAMM Phytotherapies' mission of providing affordable cannabis to low-income patients with life-threatening illnesses. Emily Reilly, the former bakery owner and ex-mayor, has endorsed the project, praising the entrepreneurs' dedication to responsible operations and community involvement.

However, the Santa Cruz City School Board's concerns about the potential negative impacts on youth have led to proposals for a zoning change that would impose a 2,000-foot buffer zone between dispensaries and schools or areas with high child activity. This proposed change could effectively ban new dispensaries in the city, as it would render all currently eligible parcels ineligible. Notably, existing dispensaries would also fail to meet these new requirements, raising questions about the fairness and practicality of the proposal.

The opposition highlights a broader debate about the role of cannabis dispensaries in communities and the balance between regulation and access to medicinal cannabis. Berryessa emphasizes their commitment to education, safety, and exceeding legal standards, including creating resources for parents and partnering with community organizations to address concerns.

The situation underscores the challenges faced by businesses in the cannabis industry, even when they operate within legal frameworks and aim to serve community needs. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for the future of cannabis dispensaries in Santa Cruz and beyond, affecting access to medicinal cannabis for those in need.