September 16, 2024
Dear City Council,
I am writing on behalf of the North Redondo Beach Business Association (NRBBA) and its many business and residential members to urge the City Council to support licensed cannabis operators on Artesia Boulevard and express our concerns about the proposed ordinance changes that would limit their presence, allowing unregulated smoke shops to thrive.
NRBBA recognizes that voters have approved two cannabis licenses in Redondo Beach, and we know the city can certainly benefit from the revenue these legal operators will generate. For the residents and business owners of North Redondo Beach, the question is not about when cannabis retailers will open, but which type of retailers will be licensed to open.
As you know, the NRBBA’s mission is to build a thriving community and commercial district, so it may seem counterintuitive that we would support a cannabis retailer on Artesia Boulevard. However, there are currently at least four unregulated smoke shops on Artesia Boulevard selling hemp-derived THC without oversight. These shops operate without security, without ID checks, and without adherence to state regulations, creating a cash-based market that disrupts our community. Are they selling to minors? We don’t know. Are they charging tax and contributing to the city’s bottom line? Questionable.
Licensed operators in other cities have been able to drive illegal shops out of business, and NRBBA would like to see the same thing happen along Artesia Boulevard. In parts of Los Angeles, for example, legal operators have closed down numerous unlicensed retailers, showing how regulated businesses contribute positively to community safety. Their presence offers a regulated alternative to the unlicensed smoke shops threatening our neighborhoods.
We urge the City Council to require stores to have 24/7 monitored cameras, trained security guards, and conduct strict ID checks to prevent underage sales. We urge the City Council to include language that prohibits overt storefront cannabis imagery like “420” or green crosses. Having legal operators who adhere to state regulations will make them a valuable addition to our local business environment, unlike the unregulated shops that have continued to propagate unchecked up and down the boulevard.
The unregulated “smoke” shops do not meet the safety and regulatory standards that licensed operators will uphold. Restricting legal operators with rigid location conditions invites more unregulated activity, undermining the progress we’ve worked hard to achieve creating a safe and thriving community.
We urge the Council to support businesses that engage with our community and uphold the highest standards. High-quality, legal operators are the kind of partners we need in our city—ones that invest in relationships and contribute to a safer, more vibrant Redondo Beach.
Very Sincerely,
Mickey Johnson
President, NRBBA
[email protected]