Cannabis has been legal for sale and consumption in Nevada since 2017, following voter approval of a ballot question. I know my fair share of stoners, I see the upside of tax revenues, and I actually know a lot of about cannabis cultivation, civics, and applicable processes like decarboxylation, as a former student at the novel Oaksterdam University in Oakland.
However, the issue has become an annoyance, because of its use as a cheap gimmick within my Democrat-controlled local government. Almost two years ago, I reached out to the Commissioner for Clark County District E, Tick Segerblom's office in an effort to view a proclamation. He officially declared that August 22 was Cheech and Chong Day, and I was simply trying to figure out... um, why?
That question went unanswered. It's either part of Segerblom's stoney brand of politics, using a local government board as a smokescreen to appeal to Latino voters ahead of his re-election (he later proclaimed "Bad Bunny Day," another Latino celebrity) or, it might indicate a lack of seriousness regarding his role in government.
I wrote:
If Segerblom’s policies weren’t bad enough, his office never returned my call to assist me in viewing the public declaration for Cheech and Chong Day. I guess that was too much to ask of our government, to view a near-meaningless document.
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What Do Cheech, Chong, and Bad Bunny Have to Do With Nevada's Most Coveted Commission?
The county didn't have enough fun with their celeb holidays, so they decided to host a rave... I mean a kickoff block party to the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC). The businesses, located in the Commercial Center, later complained about the communication, event organizing, and the negative impacts of the block party, causing financial losses for some.
One Clark County Commissioner, Ross Miller of District C allegedly made controversial comments, which he disputes as being "misleading." He was alleged to say the county could "buy the property and burn the entire place to the ground and no one would care."
In an email, which is not disputed, Segerblom called the business owners "ungrateful miscreants." Personally, I'm worn thin on all their partying and scoffing at locals, while it just never seems to stop.
On Wednesday, in preparation for the Marijuana holiday known as "420" and celebrated on April 20, Segerblom handed out cannabis-laced brownies in the County Commission Chamber, uploading a photo showing himself with a basket of the marijuana edibles on social media.
Segerblom wrote:
#420 came early! During today’s Zoning Meeting, I passed out brownies to everyone in the Chambers.
In response, April Becker, a lawyer running as a Republican for the District C seat, posted:
While you dodge traffic cones & endless construction in Las Vegas today, just remember what your Clark County Commission is doing. There’s a time for play & a time for work. As your next County Commissioner, my priority will always be working for you.
While you dodge traffic cones & endless construction in Las Vegas today, just remember what your Clark County Commission is doing. There’s a time for play & a time for work.
— April Becker (@VoteAprilBecker) April 17, 2024
As your next County Commissioner, my priority will always be working for you. https://t.co/5l8wjxTXvs
The commissioners' approach of using marijuana advocacy, block parties, and honoring celebrities, especially those associated with substance use, is reminiscent of the historical practice of "treating for votes." This practice involved politicians offering food, drinks, or other perks to voters in exchange for their support, akin to bribery. While once prevalent in older political systems, it is now widely recognized as unethical and often illegal.
While this tactic is good at garnering attention, it overlooks issues faced by locals, such as zoning fines for unsuspecting business owners, property maintenance responsibilities falling on residents, and homeowners facing steep penalties for short-term rentals.
Commissioner Miller's concession about the excessive nature of the fines, like one homeowner's near quarter million dollar fine highlights a broader concern: the commission's policies often disregard their impact on the community, leading to hardships for families and businesses.
As Segerblom indulges in political pot theatrics, real people grapple with the fear of losing their homes and livelihoods due to bureaucratic red tape. It's time to clear the haze and get serious about the joint issues our community faces because the stakes are too high to ignore.
