A last minute Hail Mary effort involving a flurry of 68 original letters, 33 form letters and nearly two dozen speakers opposed to legalizing the storefront sales of marijuana in Manteca failed on Tuesday.

Opponents mounted a blitz during what is typically a perfunctory second reading of the enabling ordinance passed by the City Council two weeks prior. A second reading — and a second approval vote on — ordinances are required before they can become law.

The effort didn’t succeed. In fact, more council members voted for the measure the second time around than on Dec. 7 when Jose Nuño switched his previous “no” vote to a “yes”. He joined Mayor Ben Cantu and fellow council members Gary Singh and Charlie Halford in making what is being called “highly regulated” marijuana sales legal with issuance of a city permit starting in 2022.

Two weeks prior Nuño joined Dave Breitenbucher in voting no saying he supported medical marijuana dispensaries but not the sale of cannabis for recreational use. On Tuesday Nuño indicated additional contemplation on his part regarding how retail marijuana is tightly regulated and tested prompted him to change his mind.

Several members of the Mantecans4Change indicated that the legalization of marijuana sales will likely be an issue in next November’s council and mayoral races. Cantu as well as Nuño and Breitenbucher are up for re-election.

Given how Breitenbucher made what was likely his longest statement on any subject at a council meeting during the past three years when it came to why he regards Manteca legalizing storefront marijuana sales as a major mistake, it clearly will be an issue in the mayoral race.

That’s because Breitenbucher is laying the ground work to run for mayor.

Breitenbucher placed a heavy emphasis on his belief the council’s decision will actually help the black market for pot sales get stronger in Manteca. And while he didn’t dispute those that said evidence points to legal marijuana dispensaries being virtual crime free with reports from various cities saying crime in neighborhoods where such retail sales take place actually drops due to the presence of armed security guards, he said the bump likely will give the black market more sales and along with it marijuana-related crime elsewhere.

“They wave this carrot in front of us — it’s called money — and we’re chomping on it,” Breitenbucher said.

It was a remark clearly directed at Cantu who has repeatedly emphasized legalizing marijuana sales in Manteca wasn’t about the money the city would receive but honoring what he believes is what the majority of Manteca want to see happen. The mayor, though, has also said it is his job to make sure Manteca has adequate revenue to run the city and that the three marijuana dispensaries the city is allowing will help address municipal financial needs.

Breitenbucher also displayed marijuana-related products packaged with the appearance of marketing to youth to make his point. In an answer to an inquiry from Singh later during council comments, Breitenbucher said the items were obtained legally in smoke shops in Manteca and a legal pot dispensary in Modesto.

Halford noted the city has control over the type of marketing dispensaries they allow in Manteca including the store’s name.
Halford made it clear he would vote against allowing any dispensary in Manteca with a name that could appeal to youth such as “Cookies.”

No one under the age of 21 is allowed in California dispensaries. The only exception is those between the ages of 18 and 20 with a valid medical marijuana cards.

A number of those speaking Tuesday argued the city was changing the character of Manteca to the point the council should drop “The Family City” as the municipal logo.

“(You’ve) entered into a deal with the devil,” noted John Sasser who is part of Mantecans4Change.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com