SAN LEANDRO | Following two hours of testimony from San Leandro residents over a proposed ordinance allowing up to two medical cannabis dispensaries within city limits, council members commented upon the seemingly even number of those in favor and against.
However, a week earlier the pastor for San Leandro’s Heritage Baptist Church urged members of the congregation to “flood” the city’s office with a letter writing campaign against the plan.
“They need a flood there,” said Pastor Alan Fong said during a Sunday sermon Feb. 3 for the need to sign a form letter to be given to city officials in opposition of dispensaries. [AUDIO of the sermon can be heard below.]
At the Feb. 12 informational hearing regarding the city’s proposed ordinance, four council members made note of the large number of letters received from the church. Councilmember Diana Souza, also an opponent of pot clubs in San Leandro even noted 95 percent of the correspondence came from members of Heritage Baptist Church, located on Merced Street.
“We must let the city know there’s a strong voice of strong opposition against medical marijuana dispensaries in the City of San Leandro,” Fong said in the recording.
Councilmember Jim Prola also noted the inordinate number of letters from one group, but cautioned the strength in numbers did not constitute citywide opposition to dispensaries. Over 100 members of the church also attended the well-attended Feb. 12 hearing.
Whether the ordinance, which has no timetable for discussion at the City Council level, is ever passed, its future is in the hands of the Lord, according to a recording of the sermon earlier this month. “We’re not going to win this in the power of the flesh,” preached Fong. “It’s going to be in the power of God.”
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Categories: Diana Souza, God, Heritage Baptist Church, Jim Prola, Lord, medical marijuana, ordinance, Pot Dispensary, san leandro
Marijuana becoming bigger issue in SL, 2014 election can be entertaining.
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Vote for Cassidy not Souza in 2014. Most people across the nation, across California, and in the Bay Area support medical marijuana. Times are changing!
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People don't support pot shops. You must be high on MJ.
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No Cassidy, No Prola period.
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No Cassidy, No Prola! Get rid of all pot heads!!
Do nothings Know nothings!!
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The Mayor's race in 2014 will be Cassidy vs. Souza. Gregory may run if Cassidy doesn't. Prola has told people he won't run for Mayor. Most of the people in San Leandro that I know will vote for Cassidy because he supports medical marijuana.
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My family has a relative who needs marijuana for his pain. It helps him more than the prescription drugs he was taking before. We will vote for anyone who runs against Souza.
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We “95%' do not want Marjuana in SL, will vote for anyone against Marijuana.
5% want Marijuana please go to Lewelling or Oakland.
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Anon: 11:15,
You have no poll to back up your statements. All the polls show people want medical marijuana particularly in Alameda County. Do some research will you.
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All the polls in SL against mj, Do some research will you.
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Elections are polls. Fact:The people of Calif. voted for medical marijuana and that's why we have it in Calif. Fact:The voters in the Bay Area by huge margins voted for medical marijuana. Check the election results.
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Pot heads abuse “medical” marijuana. SL vote to ban.
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I hope you never have a relative or a sick and dying parent who needs medical marijuana. This is the 21st century not the 19th. Some people abuse prescription drugs, but they are still available even though they do more damage than medical marijuana. Your arguments sound childish.
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Those need medical marijuana can easily obtain them at Lewelling or from Oakland.
1147 you are mature, San Leandor folks against marijuana are childish.
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11:32 and 12:15- folks against mmj aren't childish but your arguments sound childish. You're living in the past. Jim Prola and Ursula Reed were just re-elected in spite of their support of medical marijuana. Cassidy, Gregory and Pauline Cutter will get re-elected too because of their support for mmj. This stay at home mom who suffers from lupus will vote for them. There are many residents who have a legitimate need. You shouldn't try and force us to go to another city. Some of us can't drive very far, or are not close to a bus stop.
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It would be best to point you in the direction of the nearest pot dispensary where you could just spark up another doobie and return to dream land until the next election.
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Anonymous 1:26,
Our family knows a woman who suffers from fibromyalgia. Her marijuana allows her to reduce her pain so she can do simple things again. Who are you to judge and why are you so against her pain relief? We live in San Leandro as does she, and we all vote.
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No one is judging anyone, as long you know that you and your friends are not pot heads abusing the system.
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I've just read this topics posted comments. My friends and I will vote for Prola if he decides to run. If he doesn't we will vote for Cassidy. We will never vote for Souza because she is too right-wing for San Leandro.
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