HomeMy WebLinkAbout021726-01.1 CONTRA COSTA HEALTH EMAIL 021726February 17, 2026
Danville City Council
500 La Gonda Way
Danville, CA 94526
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CONTRA COSTA
HEALTH
Subject: Public Comment Discussion of legal issues associated with allowing storefront cannabis
retail uses in Danville
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
My name is Jorge Flores. I am from Contra Costa Health and serve as the Cannabis Prevention
Program Manager.
Safeguarding youth from the sale of Cannabis in the Town of Danville is a significant step forward in
deterring youth from cannabis use. Use of substances at a young age, when the brain is still
developing, can lead to a lifetime of addiction. When youth protections are set in the ordinance, there
will be fewer young people who have access to these harmful substances because they are not being
exposed to them.
Implementing and maintaining robust youth protections as part of the city's cannabis retail policy
development ensures that cannabis businesses operate responsibly and without undue influence on
youth, which is critical to safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of the community.
Best practices in protecting youth from Cannabis are as follows:
1. Restrict Advertising and Billboards
To minimize exposure to cannabis -related advertising, it is recommended that the city prohibit
or strictly limit cannabis -related billboards and other outdoor advertising. Research shows that
such advertising can normalize and glamorize cannabis use among young people, increasing
the risk of early use.
2. Maintain Appropriate Distance from Youth -Sensitive Areas
It is vital to enforce strict buffer zones between cannabis retail dispensaries and youth -
sensitive areas such as schools, parks, daycare centers, and recreational facilities. This ensures
that these establishments do not become easily accessible or visible to minors. Such as 1,000
ft. from other retailers, schools, churches, youth service facilities, recreation facilities,
substance abuse recovery centers
3. Density and Oversaturation Controls
Another critical step is to limit the number of dispensaries within close proximity to one
another. Oversaturation can lead to normalized exposure, and by incorporating these
protective measures, the Town of Danville can create a balanced approach to cannabis
regulation that supports adult access while shielding young residents from undue influence.
Contra Costa Health Cannabis Prevention Program is readily available to provide technical assistance
and resources to city staff.
Sincerely,
Jorge Flores
Cannabis Prevention Program Manager
Contra Costa Health