Another glorious day greeted us for our meeting at beautiful Poplar Creek.  Uniformed San Mateo Police Chief Susan Mannheimer was in attendance promising an informative and substantive program.
 
President Stan asked for a volunteers to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  President-elect Mike Horwitz took on the task.  Stan delivered the invocation with a shout-out to spring, a prayer to “let us think about our President-Elect Mike preparing to take the reins of our club” and a suggestion that we think of ways to serve.
 

Guests and Visiting Rotarians

No visiting Rotarians with whom to share our bounty.  Chief Susan was accompanied by Ryan Monaghan, with San Mateo Police Department 23 years, home grown on the Peninsula, a graduate of Serra High School, a drug enforcement grand poobah, an athlete, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.   We won’t argue; he looked straight out of central casting.  Did I mention he heads the terrorism task force?  Methinks he needs his own action figure..

Annoucements

 
President Stan acknowledged the inductions of three new members last week.  Ms. Nancy Bush was present and welcomed once again.  President Stan asked if ANYONE remembered the usual things we ask when meeting new people, like 'Where are you from? What do you do for a living?' Or, sometimes, 'How do you get money?'  Some members knew Nancy’s area of endeavor.  She knows the money, Stan.  Nancy Bush, Relationship Banking, United American Bank, 100 S. Ellsworth, San Mateo
 
Peter Comaroto updated us on the Japanese Student Exchange Program 2017.  This is the third year of this successful program. Year one there were five applicants; this year we have 19 applicants.  Good news travels fast.  Both shores of the Pacific enjoy this cultural exchange and opportunity to make new friends.  Candidate interviews are being conducted on April 27.  Peter thanked our sister city, Edogawa, and the Burlingame Rotarians for their support
 
Pete Wanger showed an interest in the youth exchange but Fritz pointed out that Pete’s youth had already been exchanged.
President Stan asked that we take a moment to recognize and thank someone who does an important job week after week, and he does it well.  He gets here early, takes attendance, and gets your money.  A true Rotarian in action, Mr. Joe Galligan!

FunFacts

At the request of nary a one, Funmaster Fritz hosted another game of Two Truths and a Lie.  Seeking a proficient liar from our attorney members,  Dennis Zell was invited to participate.  Either Dennis has had an interesting life, or is more “creative” that even we suspected:
The propositions:
  1. Dennis was a producer on the movie “Sleepless in Seattle.”
  2. Something about negotiating a treating involving infrastructure between Russia and Lithuania.
  3. Dennis’ two-year-old daughter grabbed George W. Bush’s nose in Three Stooges fashion.
They all sound like fake news, lies that would make a mother lie proud, and relatively unlikely.  Snap!  Number One is close to true, but Dennis was just an assistant lower class on the movie.  Number Three is totally true.  Number Two is a fib.
That was fun, actually, sort of.  Helps to have a convincing liar like Dennis.

Program

The discussion was about dealing with legal marijuana. Chief Mannheim turned the mic over to Super Ryan. Actually, Marijuana is much more toxic than it was in our youth, and only quasi-legal.  It is illegal at the federal level, but legal in a California community where and if the electeds support it, and to whatever extent they support the sale, farming, dispensing of it.   The fact that it is illegal at the federal level means federally—insured funds cannot be used in business transactions involving Marijuana.  No checking accounts for dispensaries, no credit cards accepted.  No cash deposits; no bank accounts allowed.  So, dispensaries store their cash on site and are often victims of theft on grand scales.  It is legal to grow six plants per household, eight ounces can be carried for personal use.  This amount of product will produce many marijuana cigarettes; I’m told they’re called “joints.”
Some ways communities can regulate include:
  1. Requiring an excise tax.
  2. Prohibiting advertising.
  3. Allowing taxation.
  4. Authorizing restrictions on persons with prior marijuana convictions.
Again, this is not the marijuana of the 60’s.  It is exponentially more toxic  due to higher THC levels.  Marijuana collects in San Francisco Bay and storm drains. Even with limited availability, California is experiencing an increase in persons in rehab.  There is also an increase in the rate of traffic collisions.  There is risk from second-hand smoke.  As a cash business, a variety of violent crimes attend.  Feds don’t recognize MJ as legal, creating conflict among law enforcement and the judiciary.  There is difficulty determining DUI if only under the influence of marijuana with no alcohol present.  Danger of marijuana-intoxicated drivers. San Mateo County has established a committee to deal with marijuana issues, headed by County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.  Again, the cities can handle the issue as they see fit. The coastside communities are all for it.  They have the land to grow it and places to spend the tax windfall and an improved economy.
Growing marijuana works best in open spaces, but hothouses require electricity, often illegal installations, subject to highly dangerous power surges. San Mateo County has already experienced a frightening raid at a watershed in San Mateo, near 280.  This is big business with armed folks on both sides.  Experienced, armed cartel members defending the grows did their thing.  Drugs are big, bad business. Authorities are looking to Colorado to learn from their experience.  The first drive-through dispensary is now being opened in Colorado.  Prescription? Photos?  Drugs? The impact on Colorado has been clear:
  1.  Crime is up 42%
  2.  DUIs are up 41%.  Marijuana alone up 41%; alcohol up 71%
  3. Student use up 41%
  4. THC lab explosions; increase in homicides.
  5. Ingestions of marijuana by children zero to five years old, up 400%.  Marijuana is easily inserted in candy, cookies, liquor, soft drinks, even Gummy Bears.
Marijuana dispensaries are more plentiful than McDonald’s, Starbucks, and 7-11s combined in Colorado. Colorado’s list of problems are created by a population of just five million people.  Imagine the problems that could be created in California with a population of 39 million. New Coach, new approach. We will see what the new administration attempts to impose.   San Mateo County and City electeds can restrict the business side.  The THC content should be posted.  The existing moratorium ends late this year or next year.  Jurisdictions should begin discussing next steps.  There will be increased costs to all jurisdictions for clean-up of a variety of messes we don’t need. Apparently, this will not be an item on the shelf at CVS soon. Thanks so much, Chief Susan; we’ll look forward to your fifth visit.  Wonder Ryan is welcome back anytime as well.
 
 
Next Week:  April 26 – Dr. Peter Webb and Daughter “The Skin You’re In”
 
Happy Birthday April 27 to Rachel Ni!