“Underlying most arguments against free-market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.” ~ Milton Friedman
Cognizant of that vital philosophy, the city of Santa Ana made some thought-provoking changes to their marijuana policy this week.
On June 20, the Santa Ana City Council voted 5 to 0 on critical changes to the city’s medical marijuana ordinance – Measure BB.
According to the OC Register, the city has amended their marijuana ordinance to allow home delivery of medical marijuana to “qualified patients, caregivers, or testing and research facilities.” Additionally, Santa Ana will now allow their dispensaries to operate between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily and increase their shop’s signage.
A significant change, the old hours previously restricted Santa Ana’s dispensaries to operate between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
“The sign allowance was broadened from one non-illuminated wall sign up to 10 square feet in size, to allow wall signs to be installed in compliance with the city’s standard sign code.”
Santa Ana City Councilman, Juan Villegas, explained the city’s adoption of these free market policies. “For the record, I’m not a fan of the marijuana industry, but as a professional we need to be fair to all legal establishments.”
Underscoring the discrepancy between old socially acceptable legal entities and Californian’s new legal marijuana industry, the OC Register noted, “Santa Ana has shown that the competitive pressures of the free market incentivize businesses to behave appropriately — something those who advocate for free markets should have already known.”
Indeed.