CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
May 9, 2022
TO: City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RESULTS OF
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS CANNABIS SURVEYS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council review and discuss the results of the Neighborhood Councils Cannabis surveys collected during the April 2022 presentations and provide direction to staff.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
During the February 28, 2022, City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to conduct a survey of the Neighborhood Councils regarding their tolerance for cannabis related businesses in Simi Valley. Staff created an eight question “yes or no” survey and provided it to all Neighborhood Council Executive Board Members and those audience members present at the respective meetings. The survey results are presented this evening for discussion and possible action.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
Staff provided a brief presentation to each of the four Neighborhood Council Executive Boards in the month of April regarding the City Council’s direction to seek their feedback and provide an overview of the Council’s previous actions related to cannabis. A survey (provided on the next page) was provided to each Board Member as part of their agenda packet and each audience member in attendance. Surveys were collected at the conclusion of staff’s presentation and a question and answer session.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
8A
2 Cannabis Survey
1. Operation of retail cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes No
2. Operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes No
3. Operation of cannabis manufacturing facilities, i.e.
The processing of cannabis within industrial
buildings
Yes No
4. Operation of cannabis testing laboratories, i.e. The testing of cannabis materials within an industrial
building
Yes No
5. Operation of cannabis cultivation businesses, i.e .
The growing of cannabis within industrial buildings Yes No
6. Operation of cannabis distribution businesses, i.e.
Processing and distributing cannabis for delivery to
end user or retailers
Yes No
7. Operation of lounges/events that allow cannabis
consumption on site Yes No
8. Operation of cannabis related recreational activities; for example, cannabis yoga, cannabis cooking and
baking classes
Yes No
Results
Neighborhood Council #1
There were seven B oard Members present during Neighborhood Council Meeting #1.
One member of the audience was present, but is not a resident of Simi Valley and unable to vote on the question. Questions #1, 7, and 8 were decidedly “no”; and questions 2 – 6 were a split vote. Those options that provided direct access to cannabis to the consumer were decidedly no. The vote results for NC #1 are included as Attachment A on page 6.
Neighborhood Council #2
There were seven Board Members present during Neighborhood Council Meeting #2 with one voting audience member. A second audience member was present but is not a Simi Valley resident and was unable to vote on the question. Questions 1 through 5 each received four “yes” and four “no” votes. Question 6, related to distribution businesses was favored five to three. Questions 7 and 8 were decidedly “no” votes. The breakdown of the vote for NC #2 (including the audience vote) is included as Attachment B on page
7. 3
Neighborhood Council #3
There were eight B oard M embers present during Neighborhood Council #3 and five audience members present. The breakdown of the Board and Audience votes are provided as Attachment C on page 8.
One of the Board respondents to question 2 said yes to medical dispensaries as long as they stay in the Adult Oriented Business Zone.
One audience member of NC#3 stated she posted the survey on social media, and received up to 188 responses on the poll. However, it is unknown if those who responded to the poll were all residents of NC#3 or Simi Valley . The results can be found in Attachment E on page 12, but ar e not included in the total results as it is unclear which, if any, Neighborhood Council they are members of.
Neighborhood Council #4
There were seven B oard M embers present during Neighborhood Council #4 and 11 audience members present, including one who was not a resident of NC #4. The breakdown of the vote for NC #4 are provided in Attachment D beginning on page 10.
Total Neighborhood Council Vote:
There were a total of 46 people polled between Neighborhood Council Executive Board members and audience members and there was no question that received a majority “yes” vote across the Councils. The closest vote was to permit medical can nabis dispensaries, but it was still opposed by those surveyed, with a vote of 22 to 24. The total votes for each question is included in the comprehensive chart on the next page.
Neighborhood Council an d audience members ex pressed a n umber o f c oncerns i f cannabis is permitted in Simi Valley, a summary is below:
• C
hildren would have easier access to the drug;
• If edibles are available, pets could get access and get very sick; • Marijuana is a gateway drug;
• Marijuana can make people lazy;
• Marijuana can cause cognitive impairment;
• There is no proven field sobriety test for marijuana impairment; • Crime will increase;
• The City should not consider allowing cannabis businesses just because it could increase tax revenue;
• State enforcement is not hands on enough; and
• If there would be a limit to the number of businesses that could be permitted.
A
dditionally, some Board Members expressed that there was not enough inf ormation to make a decision and that the question should be posed to all voters in an election. Staff explained that this is strictly an information- gathering phase and no decision has been made by the City Council at this time, therefore many of the concerns expressed related to process and zoning could not be addressed.
4 The survey results for all NC Executive Board Members and audience members is included below:
1. Operation of retail cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes
17 No
29 2. Operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes
22 No
24 3. Operation of cannabis manufacturing facilities, i.e.
The processing of cannabis within industrial
buildings
Yes
15 No
31 4. Operation of cannabis testing laboratories, i.e. The testing of cannabis materials within an industrial
building
Yes
19 No
27 5. Operation of cannabis cultivation businesses, i.e.
The growing of cannabis within industrial buildings
Yes
15 No
31 6. Operation of cannabis distribution businesses, i.e.
Processing and distributing cannabis for delivery to
end user or retailers*
Yes
20 No
25 7. Operation of lounges/events that allow cannabis
consumption on site
Yes
10 No
36 8. Operation of cannabis related recreational activities; for example, cannabis yoga, cannabis cooking and
baking classes
Yes
9 No
37 *One audience member did not vote on question six.
The City Council may wish to select one or more of the survey questions provided to the Neighborhood Councils to be included as an Advisory Measure on the ballot for the November 2022 election. If the Council decides to do so, staff recommends adding the words, “Should the City of Simi Valley allow the …” to beginning of the question(s) selected. Staff estimates that the cost per question on the November ballot will be approximately $10,000.
It should also be noted that California State Senator Anthony Wiener has introduced Senate Bill 1186, which is currently moving through the Senate, and would require cities to allow licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and/or medical cannabis deliveries. The bill also prohibits “unreasonable restrictions on the safe and affordable sale of medicinal cannabis to medicinal cannabis patients or their primary caregivers by medicinal cannabis businesses, as defined.”
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Direct staff to include one or more of the questions posed to the Neighborhood Councils as an advisory measure(s) during the November 2022 General Municipal Election;
2. Receive and file this report;
3. Provide alternative direction to staff.
Staff has no recommendation.
5 SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to:
Direct staff to include one or more of the questions posed to the Neighborhood Councils as an Advisory Measure to be posed to voters during the November 2022 General Municipal Election;
OR
Receive and file this report;
OR
Provide alternative direction to staff.
SUMMARY
During the February 28, 2022, City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to conduct a survey of the Neighborhood Councils regarding their tolerance for cannabis related businesses in Simi Valley. Staff created an eight question “yes or no” survey and provided it to all Executive Board Members and audience members present at the Neighborhood Council meetings. The results of the surveys are presented this evening for discussion. It is recommended that the City Council review and discuss the results of the Neighborhood Counc ils Cannabis surveys collected during the April 2022 presentations and provide direction to staff.
____________________________________
Samantha Argabrite
Deputy City Manager
Prepared by: Samantha Argabrite, Deputy City Manager
INDEX Page
Attachment A .................................................................................... 6 Attachment B .................................................................................... 7 Attachment C ................................................................................... 8 Attachment D ................................................................................. 10 Attachment E .................................................................................. 12
6 ATTACHMENT A
NC #1 Vote Totals
1. Operation of retail cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 1 No - 6
2. Operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 3 No - 4
3. Operation of cannabis manufacturing facilities, i.e.
The processing of cannabis within industrial
buildings
Yes - 3 No - 4
4. Operation of cannabis testing laboratories, i.e. The testing of cannabis materials within an industrial
building
Yes - 4 No - 3
5. Operation of cannabis cultivation businesses, i.e.
The growing of cannabis within industrial buildings Yes - 3 No - 4
6. Operation of cannabis distribution businesses, i.e.
Processing and distributing cannabis for delivery to
end user or retailers
Yes - 3 No - 4
7. Operation of lounges/events that allow cannabis
consumption on site Yes - 1 No - 6
8. Operation of cannabis related recreational activities; for example, cannabis yoga, cannabis cooking and
baking classes
Yes - 1 No - 6
7 ATTACHMENT B
NC #2 Vote Totals
1. Operation of retail cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 4 No - 4
2. Operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 4 No - 4
3. Operation of cannabis manufacturing facilities, i.e.
The processing of cannabis within industrial
buildings
Yes - 4 No - 4
4. Operation of cannabis testing laboratories, i.e. The testing of cannabis materials within an industrial
building
Yes - 4 No - 4
5. Operation of cannabis cultivation businesses, i.e.
The growing of cannabis within industrial buildings Yes - 4 No - 4
6. Operation of cannabis distribution businesses, i.e.
Processing and distributing cannabis for delivery to
end user or retailers
Yes - 5 No - 3
7. Operation of lounges/events that allow cannabis
consumption on site Yes - 1 No - 7
8. Operation of cannabis related recreational activities; for example, cannabis yoga, cannabis cooking and
baking classes
Yes - 1 No – 7
8 ATTACHMENT C
NC #3 Board Members Total Votes
1. Operation of retail cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes -1 No - 7
2. Operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 2 No - 6
3. Operation of cannabis manufacturing facilities, i.e.
The processing of cannabis within industrial
buildings
Yes No - 8
4. Operation of cannabis testing laboratories, i.e. The testing of cannabis materials within an industrial
building
Yes - 1 No - 7
5. Operation of cannabis cultivation businesses, i.e.
The growing of cannabis within industrial buildings Yes - 1 No - 7
6. Operation of cannabis distribution businesses, i.e.
Processing and distributing cannabis for delivery to
end user or retailers
Yes - 1 No – 7
7. Operation of lounges/events that allow cannabis
consumption on site Yes - 2 No - 6
8. Operation of cannabis related recreational activities; for example, cannabis yoga, cannabis cooking and
baking classes
Yes - 1 No - 7
9 NC #3 Audience Vote Totals
1. Operation of retail cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 3 No - 2
2. Operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 3 No -2
3. Operation of cannabis manufacturing facilities, i.e.
The processing of cannabis within industrial
buildings
Yes - 2 No - 3
4. Operation of cannabis testing laboratories, i.e. The testing of cannabis materials within an industrial
building
Yes - 3 No -2
5. Operation of cannabi s cultivation businesses, i.e.
The growing of cannabis within industrial buildings Yes - 2 No -3
6. Operation of cannabis distribution businesses, i.e.
Processing and distributing cannabis for delivery to
end user or retailers*
Yes - 2 No -2
7. Operation of lounges/events that allow cannabis
consumption on site Yes - 2 No - 3
8. Operation of cannabis related recreational activities; for example, cannabis yoga, cannabis cooking and
baking classes
Yes - 2 No - 3
*One audience member did not respond to this question.
10 ATTACHMENT D
NC #4 Board Vote Totals
1. Operation of retail cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes- 5 No - 2
2. Operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 5 No - 2
3. Operation of cannabis manufacturing facilities, i.e.
The processing of cannabis within industrial
buildings
Yes - 4 No - 3
4. Operation of cannabis testing laboratories, i.e. The testing of cannabis materials within an industrial
building
Yes - 4 No - 3
5. Operation of cannabis cultivation businesses, i.e.
The growing of cannabis within industrial buildings Yes - 3 No - 4
6. Operation of cannabis distribution businesses, i.e.
Processing and distributing cannabis for delivery to
end user or retailers
Yes - 5 No - 2
7. Operation of lounges/events that allow cannabis
consumption on site Yes - 3 No - 4
8. Operation of cannabis related recreational activities; for example, cannabis yoga, cannabis cooking and
baking classes
Yes - 3 No - 4
11 NC #4 Audience Vote Totals
1. Operation of retail cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes – 3 No - 8
2. Operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes – 5 No - 6
3. Operation of cannabis manufacturing facilities, i.e.
The processing of cannabis within industrial
buildings
Yes - 2 No - 9
4. Operation of cannabis testing laboratories, i.e. The testing of cannabis materials within an industrial
building
Yes - 3 No - 8
5. Operation of cannabis cultivation businesses, i.e.
The growing of cannabis within industrial buildings Yes - 2 No - 9
6. Operation of cannabis distribution businesses, i.e.
Processing and distributing cannabis for delivery to
end user or retailers
Yes - 4 No – 7
7. Operation of lounges/events that allow cannabis
consumption on site Yes - 1 No - 10
8. Operation of cannabis related recreational activities; for example, cannabis yoga, cannabis cooking and
baking classes
Yes - 1 No - 10
12 ATTACHMENT E
NC #3 Audience Member’s Online Survey Results
1. Operation of retail cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 148 No - 40
2. Operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, i.e.
Storefront operations in shopping centers or office
buildings
Yes - 149 No - 39
3. Operation of cannabis manufacturing facilities, i.e.
The processing of cannabis with in industrial
buildings
Yes - 140 No - 46
4. Operation of cannabis testing laboratories, i.e. The testing of cannabis materials within an industrial
building
Yes - 141 No - 45
5. Operation of cannabis cultivation businesses, i.e.
The growing of cannabis within industrial buildings Yes - 134 No - 51
6. Operation of cannabis distribution businesses, i.e.
Processing and distributing cannabis for delivery to
end user or retailers
Yes - 143 No - 40
7. Operation of lounges/events that allow cannabis
consumption on site Yes - 123 No - 57
8. Operation of cannabis related recreational activities; for example, cannabis yoga, cannabis cooking and
baking classes
Yes - 130 No - 50