Cannabis Availability in the City of Sonoma and the Sonoma Valley

Aug 6, 2025

Josette quoted council members from a meeting that occurred over two years ago in which they stated they should revisit the RFP issue in “6 months to a year”.

She advised the council that we had recently met with the City Manager to request putting the RFP on a future agenda, but were rebuffed.

She also pointed out how Erich Pearson’s financial excuse for blocking competition was irrelevant and that John Loe’s dispensary must not be considered an alternative because he is a racist and has threatened customers with tasers and guns.

Aug 6, 2025

Friend of SVCG, David Eichar, continues the thread, quoting city council members statements that the city should revisit the second dispensary process in six months to a year. Those quotes were made nearly 2 1/2 years ago.

David then pointed out that through its inaction, the city has lost thousands of revenue dollars.

Aug 6, 2025

Perri Ellis Paniagua reminded the city council that the 33 wine tasting rooms around the Plaza were permitted with little issue, yet it has stalled the process for a second dispensary for 3 years.

She also emphasized that all of the candidates who ran for the city council (Farrar-Rivas, Gurney and Wellander) in November of 2022 declared their support for a competitive dispensary.

“We are being stonewalled…We are told we have to start from square one every time a new member is elected or a new City Manager comes to town…Stop kicking the can down the road.”

Aug 6, 2025

The Founder of SVCG declares, “This isn’t just about business – it’s about trust. The media coverage and community discussions have highlighted serious concerns about how the second dispensary was blocked. Campaign contributions, lobbying conflicts, and backroom influence have overshadowed what should be a straightforward policy decision.”