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Board approves ban on cannabis retail in Chinatown mixed‑use districts after heated debate
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8–3 on July 31 to prohibit recreational and medical cannabis retail in the city’s Chinatown mixed‑use districts, a measure sponsors said preserves cultural character while opponents said it risks unequal access and gentrification.
San Francisco supervisors approved an ordinance July 31 that bans cannabis retail and medical cannabis dispensaries within the Chinatown mixed‑use districts, passing the measure 8–3.
Supporters said the restriction protects a culturally historic neighborhood. Supervisor Peskin, the ordinance sponsor, told the board the change respects Chinatown as “the spiritual, psychological headquarters of the Chinese American community,” and said residents and community groups asked for protection from commercial pressures. “This is the last one,” Peskin said of approving district‑level carve‑outs after a long series of local appeals.
The measure…
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