Plan now for Casa Beach Marine Mammal Park Judge Taylor’s ruling on Nov. 13 dismissing the O’Sullivan case and vacating the order to dredge the beach was a great victory for all — children, seals, residents of San Diego, visitors from around the world, and the City of San Diego. Thanks to the State Legislature for amending the 1931 Tidelands grant “a marine mammal park for the enjoyment and educational benefit of children” as one of the uses for Casa Beach. Thanks also to City Council for asking the Legislature to make this change. The creation of the park rests in the hands of our City Council. Shared use must be re-examined as this policy will only continue to cause conflicts between beach vs. seal advocates, often requiring police intervention, as well as the daily disturbances by people standing too close to resting seals. The rope placed during pupping season should be left up all year. Having the City ask NOAA to change their signs indicating their official guidance of a 50-foot distance from the seals is recommended. Other improvements could include installing telescopes for close-up viewing and other improved signage. Casa Beach Marine Mammal Park could become a world-class tourist destination, if planned correctly. SB 428 will become law on January 1. Decisions made now can allow harbor seals greater protection and end the conflict at the beach. Cindy Benner President, La Jolla Friends of the Seals, San Diego All marijuana storefronts should be illegal How can the City Council even be thinking of creating zoning regulations for the illegal marijuana shops that are popping up all over San Diego? The San Diego police and district attorney say all of these marijuana storefronts are illegal according to state guidelines because they are operating for profit and do not meet the requirements for the patient-caregiver relationship. The primary customers are healthy young males. It is well known that anyone can get a medical marijuana recommendation from an unscrupulous doctor and use it to buy unlimited amounts of marijuana. In September, San Diego had 60 marijuana shops, now there are over 90, and they are opening up faster than the police can investigate and close them down. Pacific Beach alone has 10 marijuana shops! Los Angeles delayed taking action and now has 1,000 marijuana shops. If this proliferation is allowed to continue in San Diego, all communities will see increased youth access to marijuana as well as the increased crime that is associated with these shops. The exploding growth of marijuana storefronts is not about providing medical marijuana to sick people, it’s about drug dealers making big bucks at community expense. Over 130 California cities have banned marijuana storefronts, San Diego should too. Jennifer Hiett, Pacific Beach