Seaside City Council Stands in the Way of Prosperity and Free Enterprise

by Chris Kramer, June 1, 2022

The Seaside City Council at its meeting on May 19, 2022, voted 3 to 1 to deny a permit for a local marijuana dispensary to expand. This dispensary is already open for business in Seaside. It was seeking to expand. It is disappointing that the Seaside City Council, and therefore the city, will stand in the way of Seaside residents, Seaside business, Seaside development, and growth. This is what businesses strive to do. When they are successful, businesses grow, expand, and hire. The permit denial stands in direct opposition to prosperity.

It doesn’t matter the type of business. Whether it be a car dealership, hair salon, auto mechanic, coffee shop, restaurant, brewery, dispensary, or whatever… government should not prevent business owners from enjoying success and growth. It shouldn’t be the Council’s choice to make. That decision is for business owners and consumers to make. They alone are the proper entities to make business decisions and determine whether that business will fail or succeed. Why do these council members feel that they should have the power over others to deny business expansion in the first place? Why put a limit on the number of permits at all? It is a violation of free enterprise. It is a violation of liberty. It is a violation of the non-aggression principle. It is a violation of freedom of association. And it doesn’t make economic sense. The council should reconsider this foolish decision.