San Francisco bans Chinatown cannabis dispensaries after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 on the decision on Tuesday. This new vote changes the code to completely prohibit both medical and recreational marijuana sales in the neighborhood.
San Francisco Bans Chinatown Cannabis Dispensaries
The city officials say they made this move to protect long-time residents of the historic neighborhood from being driven out due to new shops emerging. Both historic residents and businesses were in jeopardy of being displaced, and that's why city officials felt they needed to intervene.
San Francisco's Chinatown District is the oldest in North America. It is also the largest Chinese enclave outside of Asia. This neighborhood holds generations of culture and tradition. Languages haven't changed in the neighborhood, and the social customs remain.
It's far more than just a tourist attraction, as multi-generational Chinese immigrant families live in the neighborhood and operate businesses.
Chinatown Low Rent Prices
San Francisco has recently been named the priciest city to live in, over New York City. However, Chinatown has managed to keep rents low. This is the reason why many of the cannabis dispensaries want to set up shop in this neighborhood.
Currently, there are many pending dispensary permit applications just outside of Chinatown's neighboring districts. The city officials believe if cannabis shops were allowed to open in Chinatown it would rapidly drive up rent, and generations of residents would be left homeless.
Small businesses that thrive in the area would go out of business due to the hike in rent, and the neighborhood might crumble. It would also start losing its authenticity and culture.
The president of the board of city supervisors, Malia Cohen, was initially against the ban but after hearing residents' and supervisors' concerns, she changed her mind.
"I'm comfortable that it's within a 14-block, tight jurisdiction, and also I think the argument is sound," Cohen said at the end of the hearing.
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