Rules Committee Appoints Members to Community Oversight Committee on Marijuana Enforcement; Public Advocates Prioritize Patient Voices

The Rules Committee on Aug. 6 heard applicants for the Community Oversight Committee regarding enforcement of marijuana offenses and moved to recommend three appointments after extended public testimony.

Applicants described long experience in medical cannabis advocacy, harm reduction and patient services. Greg Ledbetter (who has attended the committee for more than a year) sought the patient-advocate seat and highlighted outreach to low-income and disabled communities; Kathy Smith, the incumbent, emphasized the committee’s work with the police to gather enforcement statistics and the ongoing effort to produce a community enforcement report.

Public speakers overwhelmingly supported Ledbetter and Smith, praising their experience running patient programs, organizing harm-reduction meetings and compiling enforcement data. Several community leaders urged the committee to ensure the oversight body represents patients, seniors and disabled users and to prioritize transparency in enforcement data. Other applicants argued the committee needs diverse perspectives from operators, patients and community organizations.

Supervisors moved to reappoint Smith to seat 3 and to nominate Greg Ledbetter to seat 1; Supervisor Daly moved to appoint Michael Barbida for seat 5 to complete the committee’s complement. The committee took the motion without objection.

Next steps: the clerk will forward the committee recommendations to the full Board for confirmation.