City Council Meeting
11/21/23
Planning Division 1
Attachment 4
Presentation Overview
◦ Cannabis Regulatory Background
◦ Storefront Retail:
Discussions and Questions
◦ Next Steps
◦ Q&A
Planning Div. 2
Definition:
A dispensary, operator, individual, establishment, provider, association or similar entity that operates out of a fixed location that it is open to the public and offers, dispenses, sells, exchanges, makes available, either individually or in any combination, cannabis or cannabis products to customers, patients, or primary caregivers pursuant to State law. Storefront cannabis retail does not include delivery-retail cannabis operations.
Planning Div. 3
1996: Medical cannabis legal in CA
2016: State legalized adult use of cannabis (nonmedical) 2017 - State enacted Medicinal and Adult Use
Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA),
consolidated the state regulatory and licensing
framework for medical and adult use cannabis
2018 – City adopted zoning ordinance
amendments to permit certain cannabis uses in
specific locations in the City (current regulations)
Planning Div. 4
Cannabis businesses conditionally permitted:
◦ Manufacturing
◦ Testing
◦ Distribution
◦ Indoor commercial cultivation
◦ Delivery-only businesses
Cannabis businesses prohibited:
◦ Retail establishments
◦ Micro-businesses
◦ Outdoor cultivation
Planning Div. 5
Certain districts East of 101 (varies by use /
district)
600’ away from existing residential uses, day
care centers, schools, youth centers
Planning Div. 6
Planning Div. 7
Planning Div. 8
Planning Div. 9
Planning Div. 10
Planning Div. 11
Operator’s permit (Pre-clearance from Police
Dept, issued by Finance Dept)
CUP, approved by Planning Commission
Permitting requirements / performance
standards
Currently, 4 active / licensed cannabis
businesses in the City (all East of 101)
Planning Div. 12
Should the City permit storefront retail
cannabis?
◦ Potential revenue generator and economic
development activity
Should retail cannabis be permitted with the
same locational requirements of other
cannabis uses?
◦ Buffers
◦ East of 101, or expand into other commercial areas
of the City
Planning Div. 13
Planning Div. 14
Planning Div. 15
Should retail cannabis be permitted with the
existing cannabis review and approval
process?
◦ Current - Operator’s Permit & CUP
◦ Example from other cities - Community benefits
program
Local hiring, workforce development, community
contributions
If retail cannabis is permitted, should there
be an establishment limit?
Planning Div. 16
Staff recommends that City Council provide
feedback on storefront retail cannabis
If City Council wishes to move forward,
potential next steps:
◦ Community outreach
◦ Contract with a consultant to develop a cannabis
regulatory program
◦ Develop Zoning Ordinance amendments to permit
and regulate storefront retail cannabis
Planning Div. 17
City Council Meeting
11/21/23
Planning Division 18