Should City Allow Pot Shop Next to Youth Martial Arts School?

Stores selling marijuana may soon be opening in Alameda but there may be a problem with one that is planning to open at Webster and Haight streets right next door to a martial arts school. The Quba Mosque where families and children congregate neighbor the proposed corner site on the Haight side.

Alameda’s cannabis/marijuana law says that marijuana dispensaries must be located at least 600 feet from “youth centers.” But the City of Alameda staff do not consider the martial arts school – International Chi Institute to be a “youth center,” despite youth classes being held 7 days a week, after school and on weekends during the school year, and day camps during school breaks. Moreover, the Pacific Pinball Museum is located only 125 feet away and has not been considered a “youth center” despite the definition which includes “video arcades.”

The definition is as follows:

Alameda Municipal Code 30-10 Cannabis

30-10.1b Definitions.

15. Youth centers are defined as any public or private facility that is primarily used to host recreational or social activities for minors, including, but not limited to, private youth membership organizations or clubs, social service teenage club facilities, video arcades, or similar amusement park facilities. The definition of “youth centers” also includes any facility determined by the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department to be a recreation center in a City park.

In comparison, Ruby’s Tumbling is considered a “youth center,” and its proximity to a potential marijuana business (900 ft.) on Park Street was the impetus for the council to reduce the buffer zone this month to 600 ft. from the original 1,000 ft. to allow for more possible locations on Park.

On Tues., Nov. 27, the Alameda City Council will be discussing what constitutes a “youth center” as per the definition in the city’s cannabis ordinances. Council meetings begin at 7 pm. The definition is based on the State of California’s definition.

The council agreed to look at the city staff’s interpretation of “youth centers” only after a concern was raised by a health advocate who has been urging the council to consider how they can protect the health and safety of children and residents as they consider allowing marijuana businesses.

All concerned Alameda residents are encouraged to attend the November 29th city council meeting to let the council know if they believe that martial arts schools that have youth students should be considered “youth centers” and therefore protected by the 600 feet buffer zone.

The agenda for the Nov. 27 meeting will be available after Nov. 15 on the city’s website: https://alamedaca.gov/agendas.