ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: C4
Prepared by: John Conley, City Manager Meeting Date: April 28, 2026 Approved by: John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: LICENSING OF CANNABIS-RELATED USES
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the licensing of cannabis-related uses and provide direction to staff.
PRIOR ACTION: On November 12, 2024, discussed cannabis consumption lounges and directed staff to develop a strategic plan, budget and ballot item to amend Measure Z to allow for onsite cannabis consumption (Vote: 5-0).
On October 22, 2024, opened, conducted, and closed the public hearing, introduced and adopted the following: 1) City Council Ordinance 2024-08 (Vote: 5-0); 2) City Council Ordinance 2024-09 (Vote: 5-0); 3) City Council Policy 2024-10 (Vote: 5-0); 4) City Council Ordinance 2024-11 (Vote: 5-0); 5) City Council Ordinance 2024-12 (Vote: 5-0); 6) City Council Resolution No. 2024-168 (Vote: 5-0).
A complete list of prior actions is included as Exhibit 1.
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Councilmember Melendez requested the City Manager place a discussion item on an upcoming agenda to discuss the licensing of cannabis-related uses.
The City currently licenses up to eleven cannabis retail dispensaries under Municipal Code Chapters 5.94 and 5.95, cannabis delivery services under Municipal Code Chapter 5.96, up to three cannabis cultivation businesses under Municipal Code Chapter 5.97, up to two cannabis manufacturing and two cannabis distribution businesses under Municipal Code Chapter 5.98, and cannabis testing laboratories under Municipal Code Chapter 5.98.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this discussion item.
EXHIBITS:
1.Prior Actions
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Discussed the licensing of cannabis-related uses and provided direction to staff to draft an ordinanace to expand the availability of distribution license. Vote: No Vote
PRIOR ACTIONS
On November 12, 2024, discussed cannabis consumption lounges and directed staff to develop a strategic plan, budget and ballot item to amend Measure Z to allow for onsite cannabis consumption (Vote: 5-0).
On October 22, 2024, Opened, conducted, and closed the public hearing, introduced and adopted the following: 1) City Council Ordinance 2024-08 (Vote: 5-0); 2) City Council Ordinance 2024-09 (Vote: 5-0); 3) City Council Policy 2024-10 (Vote: 5-0); 4) City Council Ordinance 2024-11 (Vote:
5-0); 5) City Council Ordinance 2024-12 (Vote: 5-0); 6) City Council Resolution No. 2024-168 (Vote: 5-0).
On August 27, 2024, discussed cannabis dispensary hours of operation and special events on City property and directed staff to bring back ordinances expanding retail cannabis dispensary hours of operation from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM and cannabis related special events on City property (Vote: 5-0).
On June 25, 2024, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-127, establishing the City of Vista Cannabis Equity Program pursuant to the California Cannabis Equity Act of 2018 with amended eligibility criteria of convictions/arrests to the period of 1971 to present; directed staff to bring back further discussion of scholarship for higher education and the possibility of developing an equity policy to guide excess cannabis revenue funding decisions (Vote: 3-1, Franklin opposed, Green absent).
On May 28, 2024, adopted Ordinance No. 2024-6, amending Chapter 8.12 of the Vista Municipal Code and Chapter 18.76 of the Vista Development Code relating to temporary cannabis events (Vote 5-0).
On March 12, 2024, discussed cannabis related special events on private property and directed staff to bring back a policy to allow for indoor and outdoor cannabis related events on private property (Vote: 4-0, O’Donnell absent).
On February 27, 2024, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-25, accepting the City of Vista Cannabis Equity Assessment and directed staff to draft a cannabis equity program to be brought to a future meeting for approval (Vote: 5-0).
On June 27, 2023, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023- 123, awarding a contract to SCI Consulting Group for Cannabis Equity Assessment Services (Vote: 5-0).
On February 28, 2023, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023- 19, authorizing State of California Cannabis Equity Act grant funding (Vote: 5-0).
On November 15, 2022, City Council Resolutions No. 2022- 166, authorizing the submittal of an application for the State of California Cannabis Equity Act Grant funding (Vote: 4-1, Ritter opposed).
On August 9, 2022, City Council discussed a commercial cannabis cultivation social equity program and accepted Option One (delaying the implementation of cannabis cultivation until a study is completed to develop a social equity component to the application process) and directed staff to return with information on the scope and cost of a study (Vote: 5-0). 04/28/2026 D4 2 of 3
EXHIBIT 1
On June 28, 2022, introduced City Council Ordinance No. 2022- , amending the Vista Business Park Specific Plan regarding commercial cannabis cultivation and City Council Ordinance No. 2022- , adding Chapter 5.97, Commercial Cannabis Cultivation, to the Vista Municipal Code (Vote:
3-2, Ritter, Franklin opposed).
On February 22, 2022, the City Council discussed commercial cannabis cultivation and, by consensus, directed staff to bring back for consideration an ordinance for commercial cannabis cultivation (Vote: 4-1, Ritter opposed).
04/28/2026 D4 3 of 3
ADD TO PACKET
From: Mason Mai
To: Faye Gray
Subject: CAPI Marijuana Dispensary Letter
Date: Monday, April 27, 2026 7:07:56 PM
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Dear City of Vista Officials and whom this may concern, s s imo-tan
I am writing on behalf of not only myself but several students and community members who have taken concern to the growing number of marijuana dispensaries in the City of Vista.
The growing number of locations regarding this business poses some concerns I would like to address while referencing the Public Library of Medicine PMC Subsection on marijuana.
Firstly, the increasing number of dispensaries may contribute to homelessness issues in the city. As seen in other cities in California, areas with increased access to marijuana or other drugs are connected to a larger unhoused population. With the addition of new dispensaries that are widely accessible in many parts of Vista. this may create a similar issue. Along with this, abuse of marijuana and its consequences to safety are a major concern. Areas with increased access to marijuana can see increases in intoxicated operation of vehicles, posing a threat to citizens of vista like pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, the introduction of a large number of dispensaries in Vista may have a negative impact on the youth. These businesses may create the false notion that having access to and using marijuana at a young age is acceptable and safe. Areas with dispensaries and increased access to marijuana can see a rise in teen and adolescent abuse of the drug, which creates many issues for the city and its communities. In response to these addressed issues, I as well as many others seek for officials to keep this in mind for further establishment of marijuana dispensaries in the future. The hope is to allow for the legal sale of marijuana while also keeping the negative effects minimized as much as possible.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Mason Main - RBV Student and Vista community member
Rancho Buena Vista HS Student
D4
ADD TO PACKET
From: Dan O"Donnell
To: Kathy Valdez
Subject: Fwd: Letter of Concern
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 11:24:51 AM
Kind regards,.
Dan O'Donnell
Deputy Mayor
City of Vista
Please forgive any grammatical errors, as this was sent from my iPhone.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Jonathan Santiago
Date: April 28, 2026 at 10:40:08 AM PDT
To: Dan O'Donnell
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Letter of Concern
You don't often get email from
Iearn w
ly this k im3ortant
To City Council Deputy Mayor,
My name is Jonathan Santiago, I am a resident from Vista and currently attend Rancho Buena Vista High School. I attended the previous city council meeting. I take great notice that many residents have complained about the usage of marijuana. More specifically 2nd hand smoking and also the effects that the usage of marijuana has on the community. It has become easier for people to access these products and many do not fully understand the health risks involved. Increased marijuana use can lead to problems in school, unsafe driving and negative effects on mental and physical health. At the last city council meeting I attended on 4/14/26 it was clear that many residents share the same concerns and believe this issue is affecting the community.
I believe the city should take stronger action by increasing education programs, supporting prevention efforts in schools and making sure local laws are enforced and may also help to provide more resources for families and young people who are struggling with substance use by working together, the city can help create a safer and healthy environment for everyone.
Sincerely Jonathan Santiago
D4
From:wade olsen
To:Public Comments
Subject:Public comment for item D4 licensing cannabis related uses Date:Tuesday, April 28, 2026 12:57:47 PM
My Name is Wade Olsen I was born and raised in Vista and lived here most of my life I am in favor of Licensing cannabis related uses in Vista. I am a resident of Vista, a medical marijuana patient I have my state medical cannabis card through the county of San Diego registered in Vista. I am on the Legacy of cannabis Genetics community advisory board and in The Ganjier program that I got an equity scholarship for. I’m an approved equity applicant in the cannabis equity program in San Diego, and to the best of my knowledge the only approved equity applicant here in the city of Vista.
I hope Vista will approve licensing all types of cannabis businesses. I think consumption lounges and events are important for safe access. I hope to see all types of cultivation and manufacturing. I hope to start a farmer owned cannabis co op in San Diego. I also want to make a shared space to help equity cannabis brands get started . I also hope to see Vista develop an equity program that allows people like me a chance in the legal cannabis market.
Thank you!
Sent from my iPhone