HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 03 2025 Public Comment - Item 7.2 - Lynn Silver0f Prevention
Policy Group
Invest in a Heaithy and Just Future
October 27, 2025
Gilroy City Council
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
publiccomment@cityofgilroy.org
Honorable Members of the Gilroy City Council,
I write to express my strong support for Agenda Item 7.2: the proposed urgency interim
ordinance (M 25-13) that would prohibit the issuance of tobacco retailer permits for a
period not to exceed forty-five (45) days within the Downtown Specific Plan Area.
The Prevention Policy Group is a program of the Public Health Institute, a nonprofit 501 c3 which
has served California for 61 years. Two of our key areas of work are tobacco and
cannabis/hemp policy. We currently manage the tracking of local tobacco policy for the state of
California and also provide technical assistance to Santa Clara County on cannabis and hemp
policy.
This temporary pause is a prudent and necessary step to allow the City to evaluate the long-
term impacts of tobacco retail proliferation in the downtown core and compliance of existing
retailers. This proposed moratorium reflects a thoughtful approach to protecting public health,
preserving the character of your community, and ensuring that future decisions regarding
tobacco retail are made with full consideration of community values and priorities.
Cities across California are beginning to examine new strategies for reducing, not increasing
tobacco retailers. Three cities have completely prohibited tobacco retailing. Other cities are
assuring gradual attrition of the number of tobacco retailers. Not allowing further growth of
sales, both through temporary moratoria and permanent measures, of what has long been the
largest cause of preventable death and illness is a modest and reasonable first step.
Furthermore, as you are no doubt aware, smoke and vape shops have also become hotbeds of
illegal sale of other addictive products, including intoxicating hemp products widely used by
youth, concentrated and often synthetic kratom and so on. For example, simply googling "where
2000 Center Street, Suite 308, Berkeley, CA 94704 www.preventionpoLicygroup.org
0f Prevention
Policy Group
Invest in a Heaithy and Just Future
can I get Delta-8 in Gilroy" today found me on
Yelp for Clouds Smokeshop, on Forest Street
where pictures show Stiiizy Intoxicating hemp
products. (https://www.yelp.com/biz/clouds-
smokeshop-gilroy) .
Comments on Tony's smoke shop in Gilroy
note: "I've had nothing but great service. They
have great deals on liquid kratom tinctures. I
refuse to go anywhere else for kratom because
of the money I save in just 1 purchase a loneN
Its like 3 for 50$ for OPMS, k-shot, etc."
I cannot comment on whether these illegal
intoxicating hemp products are still being sold or
whether they include the more dangerous high
potency synthetic kratom.
Uowntown Gilroy should be a vibrant and
evolving space that promote wellness, family -friendly commerce, and economic development for
a thriving city center. The presence of additional tobacco retailers could undermine these goals
and contribute to negative health outcomes, especially among youth and vulnerable
populations.
I commend the Council for considering this interim measure and urge you to adopt it. This
ordinance will provide the necessary time to engage stakeholders, gather data, and explore
comprehensive strategies that align with Gilroy's long-term planning objectives as well as
assuring compliance with existing law.
Thank you for your leadership.
Sincerely,
Lynn Silver, MD, MPH
Director
Prevention Policy Group
www.preventionpolicygroup.org
917-974-7065
Isilver(a�phi.org
2000 Center Street, Suite 308, Berkeley, CA 94704 www.preventionpoLicygroup.org