I keep crying every time I think about this little boy who had to keep his hands on his face in utter grief of losing his dad to a racist loser (redundant, I know). Musket rights are the most misunderstood and most unjustifiably protected part of the US Constitution to everyone’s detriment. The impending Roe v. Wade reversal opinion talks about abortion not being mentioned in the U.S. Constitution. Talk about things NOT mentioned explicitly? Semi-automatic guns or high-capacity cartridges.
Sometimes nature surprises me. I’ve had some of these cacti for years, many of which I got from my mom’s house after she died of cancer a few months after her house was destroyed by fire (in an unrelated incident). This one just took my breath away, and like so many amazing things in nature, it only lasted a day or two.
We loved this event, which was a fundraiser for the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum. To our amazement, two of the houses were on our little block – only two and three houses away from us. In fact, those were our favorites since the use of their backyards was so well-planned. It was amazing to see from their perspective the same eucalyptus forest I see from my backyard many an afternoon in my own sanctuary. I was definitely inspired and amazed at the time that was spent by so many of these gardeners. As the president of the Glen Cove Community Association, I was also particularly proud that three of the houses among the ten involved, were in Glen Cove itself (including the two on our block).
Updated May 5, 2022: The Times-Herald published my opinion piece on May 4, 2022. I spoke at the City Council meeting twice on this subject, after many meetings with a coalition of organizations including LGBTQ Minus Tobacco, and the Vice-Mayor Verder-Aliga (center), who we took a selfie with below, together with my fellow activist at Bay Area Community Resources, Calyn Kelley.
Video of our appearances in person a this City Council meeting is available here, together with the cannabis lobby’s plant:
My Op-Ed letter is here:
Smoke-free buildings with multiple residences are not only a public health issue, but a social justice issue.
The Vallejo City Council is considering a smoke-free multi-unit housing ordinance, like many others that are well established in jurisdictions all around California and the Bay Area, including Benicia. Vallejo’s youth deserve the same quality air in their homes as kids in other jurisdictions, particularly in the era of Covid and wildfires, when we have enough environmental challenges damaging the respiratory systems of our child and adult neighbors, many of whom are non-ambulatory, immune-compromised, underinsured or already have chronic conditions like asthma and lung infections. Some of these youth spoke compellingly at the last Vallejo City Council meeting.
Other speakers, some of whom represented cannabis businesses, expressed concern that not exempting cannabis in the ordinance would prohibit medical marijuana consumption in one’s home. They also claimed cannabis smoke was not harmful. The data shows otherwise. See https://no-smoke.org/secondhand-marijuana-smoke-fact-sheet
As a strong supporter of cannabis decriminalization since the early 1990s, before I entered law school, I knew prohibition was futile. I was also appalled at the imprisonment of so many for non-violent crimes. I have not changed my mind about that, even though I did also have a mission to fight Big Tobacco’s marketing to kids. Now, to fight this ordinance, lobbying groups insist that there is only one way to ingest cannabis, which is by igniting it. I even heard arguments that it was just too expensive or an insufficient dosage to use edibles. How about trying a new recipe?
These ordinances are not about taking the right of recreational or medicinal cannabis away from those in multi-unit housing and it has nothing to do with single-family homes, despite the implication. All that is being asked is that common courtesy for one’s adjoining neighbors be respected. That means choosing options that don’t harm the health of others. In addition to edibles, there are cannabis inhalers that deliver a measured dose of medicine to the lungs without emitting smoke or a vape aerosol.
Smoke is smoke. Up to 65% of air in an apartment can come from other units. Carcinogenic smoke drifting through pipes and electric sockets, not to mention through windows from balconies is what this ordinance is really about. To those who say “close a window” or “go somewhere else” when victims are sitting in their own homes, not everyone has the resources to pick up and move to a single-family dwelling on a moment’s notice when they are subjected to this kind of environment 8-24 hours a day. Victims should not have the burden of proving the source of smoke. This is all besides the fact that the use of combustible products contributes to countless fires that don’t just threaten one’s own home in the case of multi-unit housing, but all of those adjoined as well. I grew up in apartments where my family had to evacuate buildings we lived in because of fires caused by smokers in adjoining units. So yes, this is personal.
Another great way to protect people from secondhand smoke is to reduce smoking rates altogether by preventing youth from getting addicted in the first place. Holding retailers accountable who sell flavored tobacco and vape devices to kids would help immensely, as would raising minimum prices for tobacco.
It is wrong to allow smoking neighbors in connected units to compromise the health of others. I urge Councilmembers to consider being on the right side of history by voting yes with no exemptions on the smokefree multi-unit housing ordinance.
Vallejo Gay Network periodically flies kites down there. This was our first time attending.
Once again our dear friend John watched our dogs when we went to Palm Springs and took some great photos.
Pictures of dogs Shando and I took, interspersed with guest dogs who were really bonding with them.
Loki and Fink wrestling/puppy play:
During the months where it is light in the evenings, VGN organizes these bocce ball events in the beautiful Highland Park here in Vallejo. The bocce ball courts were recently renovated so it’s very much appreciated and we intend to make good use of them. The park is gorgeous, as well as the views as the sun comes down. It’s safe for our dogs to mill about and the fun and camaraderie are always there for us humans too. This was one of the first VGN things we did after Covid since the potlucks were put on hold. This outdoor activity was really refreshing for so many of us. Tom had the wherewithal to have us take a group shot this time, so here is the result!
