July 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Marijuana Debate at Santa Monica Pier Tonight

Marijuana Legalization in California – Is It Working?

By Sam Catanzaro

It has been almost two years since California voters chose to legalize recreational cannabis, but in many cities throughout the State like Santa Monica, cannabis stores have yet to open their doors, waiting until local lawmakers develop a regulatory framework.

This evening at the Santa Monica Pier, residents will be able to voice their opinion on recreational marijuana at PRO/CON, a regular public debate forum hosted by ProCon.org and the Santa Monica Pier.

PRO/CON is a non-partisan debate series designed to inform public discourse on ballot measures and current issues better. ProCon.org supplies experts from both sides of the topic as well as a neutral mediator to facilitate dialogue and reinvigorate the art of critical thinking.

This evening’s debate topic will be “MARIJUANA, Legalization in California – Is It Working?” and will take place on the West end of the pier. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with music, interactive civic engagement activities and soapbox speeches on the topic of marijuana.

The debate will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will run until around 7:30 p.m. The pro speaker will be Josh Drayton of the California Cannabis Industry Association. The “con” speaker will be Will Jones from Smart Alternatives to Marijuana (SAM). Megan Gailey, Stand-up comedian, writer and host of Crooked Media’s Hysteria, will moderate the debate.

The event is free, but after the debate, there is a special VIP reception at Mariasol Restaurant where experts will get together to settle their differences and celebrate their common ground over a drink. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/procon-at-the-pier-vip-reception-marijuana-legalization-in-california-is-it-working-tickets-48282354823 to purchase tickets for the reception.

For more information about the debate, visit the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/2571742869718547/?event_time_id=2571742886385212&active_tab=about/

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