Union City, CA: In the latest instance of escalating crime linked to the cannabis industry, a San Jose cannabis dispensary became the target of yet another armed robbery recently. The incident has amplified concerns about the safety and security of neighborhoods hosting these businesses. The robbery, which left employees and customers shaken but unharmed, underscores the growing trend of criminal activity around legal marijuana shops.
The San Jose dispensary incident is not isolated. Over the past three years, Union City has experienced a notable surge in robberies and break-ins at its existing TWO marijuana dispensaries. Data from local law enforcement reveals that since 2021, there have been well over a dozen reported cases of criminal activity targeting these businesses. This alarming statistic has raised questions about the broader impact of recreational marijuana sales on community safety. In Oakland this past January, a marijuana business was burglarized twice within 6 hours, resulting in an undercover police officer being shot and killed by criminals. The suspects have subsequently been arrested.
Union City, initially enthusiastic about the potential economic benefits of legal marijuana, has faced unintended consequences. The lure of substantial cash flow and valuable inventory makes dispensaries attractive targets for criminals. Unlike traditional businesses that rely heavily on electronic transactions, many cannabis shops deal largely in cash due to federal banking restrictions. This creates an environment ripe for theft and robbery.
Local residents have voiced increasing concerns over the past year. The frequency of these incidents has contributed to a sense of insecurity among community members. Mary Thompson, a Union City resident, expressed her frustration, saying, “It’s become a pattern. Every few months, we hear about another dispensary being hit. It’s unsettling to think about what could happen next time, especially with armed robberies on the rise.”
The impact of such criminal activity extends beyond the immediate financial loss for the businesses involved. It harms the overall perception of safety in residential neighborhoods. Marijuana stores, which were once thought by some as legitimate businesses contributing to the local economy, are now seen for what they really are, magnets for crime. The resulting stigma can deter other types of businesses from opening up in Union City, marring our reputation within the business community, thereby affecting the local economy and community development.
Police reports indicate that the methods employed by criminals are becoming increasingly brazen. In some cases, robbers have used vehicles to ram through storefronts, while others have conducted well-coordinated break-ins involving multiple suspects (organized crime). This escalation not only endangers the lives of pot store employees and customers but also poses a significant threat to nearby residents.
Moreover, the presence of high-value inventory within dispensaries exacerbates the risk. Cannabis products, often priced at a premium, and the necessity for substantial cash reserves on-site, create a tempting target for criminals. The lack of access to traditional banking services forces dispensaries to operate largely in cash, making them more vulnerable compared to other retail businesses.
Law enforcement agencies are ramping up efforts to address this surge in crime. Increased patrols, community policing, and collaboration with dispensary owners on security measures are some of the strategies being implemented by UCPD. However, the challenge remains significant.
The crime associated with legal pot sales casts a shadow over the intended benefits of legalization. While the economics seem attractive to some members of the city council (Mayor Dutra-Vernaci and council members Jaime Patiño and Scott Sakakihara), the safety concerns by local residents cannot be ignored nor overlooked. The recent robbery in San Jose and the police officer killing in Oakland serve as a stark reminder of the risks involved and the need for comprehensive strategies to protect communities.
As the debate over the legalization of marijuana continues, the experiences of cities like Union City highlight the complexities involved. Legalization is not merely a financial or regulatory issue, but one that significantly impacts community safety and quality of life. Addressing these concerns by at minimum locating recreational marijuana stores at least 4500 feet away from schools, places of worship, residential housing and where children frequent must be a top priority.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci is on record repeatedly stating “no decision on the location has been made, and no specific applicant has been approved”, and yet the Embac cannabis chain recently held a public relations meeting, where their representative stated the proposed Embarc Union City location at 35194 Alvarado-Niles Road was expected to be “open and fully operational within 6 months.” Somebody is either confused, or cannot speak the truth.
In attendance at the Embarc PR meeting was Union City council member Jamie Patiño and pro-marijuana store mayoral candidate Emilie Duncan. Duncan was one of the council members who voted in favor of marijuana sales in Union City when the measure was approved in 2018. Patiño has been consistently pro-pot in his public statements, and voted to approve moving forward with the authorization process for Embac when the state-wide pot chain attempted to open a store in a Union City residential neighborhood at the Cherrywood Shopping Center (near Baldies Café) in 2023.
The city council needs to start taking crime associated with recreational marijuana businesses seriously. The threat to the quiet enjoyment of our homes, the safety of our seniors and children, and the security of our brave Union City police offers who protect our community from crime associated with marijuana sales must become a priority. Otherwise, pro-marijuana councilmembers Jamie Patiño and Scott Sakakihara must be recalled, and mayoral candidate Emilie Duncan, who helped pave the way for this public safety disaster, must never sit on the council chambers dais ever again.
